DA-BAFS Takes Part in Global Dialogue on Remote Audits at Vienna Food Safety Forum In a continued push for more effective and technology-driven food safety practices and mainstreaming of remote audits, the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS) joined Assistant Secretary for Policy and Regulations Paz J. Benavidez II, head of the Philippine delegation, in representing the Philippines at the Vienna Food Safety Forum held from June 9 to 13, 2025. A key highlight of the event was Session 7: “Remote Audit and Inspection Practices forEnhanced Regulatory Collaboration and Oversight: Putting a Standard into Practice,”which focused on implementing the Codex standard (CXG 102-2023) within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The session explored how remote audits and inspections—originally popularized during the COVID-19 pandemic- can be institutionalized as standard regulatory practices, especially in hard-to-reach food establishments. BAFS Officer-in-Charge, Director Mary Grace R. Mandigma served as one of the panelists of Session 7. She joined a distinguished lineup of food safety leaders from across the ASEAN region. The session emphasized the importance of harmonizing the conduct of both remote audits and on-site audits, noting that the decision to conduct remote audits should bebased on risk, particularly in ASEAN countries, where logistical and geographical challenges can hinder traditional inspection processes. The Philippine delegation also shared insights on the Philippines’ initiatives in actively pursuing digitalization to enhance efficiency, traceability, and compliance with food safety standards, while juggling with trade systems at the same time. The Philippines’ experience in integrating digital technologies, data-driven tools, and international standards to improve food regulatory oversight is a key pillar of the Food Safety Strategic Plan of the Department of Agriculture. As part of this plan, the DA is targeting the digital transformation of its platform to at least seven regulatory processes, aiming to achievea 60% increase in stakeholder engagement through improved transparency in food safety information. DA-BAFS’ participation highlights the Philippines’ active role in shaping the future of food safety through innovation and international collaboration. The agency’s contributions to the forum added valuable perspective to regional dialogues on how standards like CXG 102-2023 are adopted and localized, while also opening up future collaboration in several areas with other ASEAN countries. As food systems become increasingly complex and globalized, the Vienna Food Safety Forum and its key sessions mark a significant step toward creating more resilient, transparent, and tech-enabled food safety standards. ### by: DGPascua DA-BAFS Takes Part in Global Dialogue on Remote Audits at Vienna Food Safety Forum June 13, 2025 Assessment of Core Participatory Gurantee System Group June 13, 2025 Monitoring of Kayapa PGS Group June 13, 2025 DA-BAFS HRMPSB Successfully Concludes Its 2025 Recruitment Season June 13, 2025 DA-BAFS Conducts First Surveillance of SIPBAFAMCO, Caraga’s First Accredited PGS Group June 13, 2025 Monitoring of Registered Organic Soil Amendment Products June 11, 2025 DA-BAFS Joins 9th ASEAN Organic Agriculture Meeting in Cambodia June 11, 2025 RECOGNITION AND ENGAGEMENT FORUM ON PHILIPPINE GOOD REGULATORY PRINCIPLES RECOGNITION AND AWARDS PROGRAM (PGRP-RAP) OF THE ANTI-RED TAPE AUTHORITY (ARTA) June 11, 2025 Other Post

Kapangan, Benguet — The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS) conducted the initial assessment of a core Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) group in Kapangan, Benguet on June 10–13, 2025. The assessment was undertaken to verify the group’s compliance with the accreditation requirements as an Organic Certifying Body (OCB).The activity consisted of an office-based assessment and witnessing of the group’s peer review process, with the goal of determining whether the group operates in a competent, impartial, and consistent manner in accordance with its Manual of Operations. The DA-BAFS Assessment Team was supported by technical personnel from the DA Regional Field Office–Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and the Agricultural Training Institute–Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) CAR. Also present were representatives from the Province of Benguet and the Municipal Government of Kapangan, showing local support for the group’s efforts to establish itself as a certifying body. This group is the sixth PGS group in the Cordillera region to apply for accreditation as an OCB. The assessment marks a significant step in the region’s continuing efforts to expand local capacity for organic certification and strengthen community-based assurance systems.The outcome of the assessment will determine the group’s eligibility for accreditation, in line with national standards and regulations for PGS implementation.#OAassessment #PGSforOA #OrganicAgriculture #BAFSonthemove #DABAFS  Assessment of Core Participatory Gurantee System Group June 13, 2025 Monitoring of Kayapa PGS Group June 13, 2025 DA-BAFS HRMPSB Successfully Concludes Its 2025 Recruitment Season June 13, 2025 DA-BAFS Conducts First Surveillance of SIPBAFAMCO, Caraga’s First Accredited PGS Group June 13, 2025 Monitoring of Registered Organic Soil Amendment Products June 11, 2025 DA-BAFS Joins 9th ASEAN Organic Agriculture Meeting in Cambodia June 11, 2025 RECOGNITION AND ENGAGEMENT FORUM ON PHILIPPINE GOOD REGULATORY PRINCIPLES RECOGNITION AND AWARDS PROGRAM (PGRP-RAP) OF THE ANTI-RED TAPE AUTHORITY (ARTA) June 11, 2025 DA-BAFS Convenes Final Hybrid Stakeholder Consultation on Good Aquaculture Practices for Crustaceans. June 11, 2025 Other Post

With the assistance from the DA RFO II Regulatory Division, Organic Agriculture Program and the Local Government Unit of Kayapa, the Monitoring Team from the DA-BAFS Organic Agriculture Division conducted the monitoring activity to Kayapa PGS Group – the first Accredited Participatory Guarantee System Group in Nueva Viscaya on June 2 to 4, 2025. The activity verified the continued compliance of the core PGS group farmer- members with the Philippine National Standard relevant to organic agriculture and to validate the effective implementation of correction and corrective action plan for the findings found during their previous inspection. #OAmonitoring #OrganicAgriculture #PGSforOA #BAFSonthemove #DABAFS Monitoring of Kayapa PGS Group June 13, 2025 DA-BAFS HRMPSB Successfully Concludes Its 2025 Recruitment Season June 13, 2025 DA-BAFS Conducts First Surveillance of SIPBAFAMCO, Caraga’s First Accredited PGS Group June 13, 2025 Monitoring of Registered Organic Soil Amendment Products June 11, 2025 DA-BAFS Joins 9th ASEAN Organic Agriculture Meeting in Cambodia June 11, 2025 RECOGNITION AND ENGAGEMENT FORUM ON PHILIPPINE GOOD REGULATORY PRINCIPLES RECOGNITION AND AWARDS PROGRAM (PGRP-RAP) OF THE ANTI-RED TAPE AUTHORITY (ARTA) June 11, 2025 DA-BAFS Convenes Final Hybrid Stakeholder Consultation on Good Aquaculture Practices for Crustaceans. June 11, 2025 Field Compliance Assessment of Ongoing Efficacy Trials May 31, 2025 Other Post

“We are almost done,” says Atty. Roland A. Tulay, Chairman of the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board (HRMPSB) after they successfully concluded its comprehensive recruitment season, marking a significant step in strengthening the Bureau’s workforce. Deliberations for the selection process were meticulously carried out on June 9 and 10, 2025, ensuring a thorough and fair evaluation of all qualified and deserving applicants. This rigorous process culminated in the final interview stage, where the BAFS Board conducted a face-to-face assessment for a deeper understanding of the applicant’s skills and personality, gauge the non-verbal cues, body language, overall demeanour, and measure the applicant’s fit with the organization through a more personable and engaging interaction. From a total of 86 applicants, 21 qualified candidates advanced to the final interview stage with the Board. These positions aim to fill the vacant roles across key end-user divisions, including Organic Agriculture Division (OAD), Standards Research Division (SRD), and Technical Services Division (TSD), among others. This recruitment initiative is part of DA-BAFS’ ongoing commitment to continuously enhance its capabilities and effectively deliver excellent services for stakeholders. The Bureau is confident that the selected individuals will significantly contribute to innovation, build stronger relationships and improve overall team dynamics.#BAFS #HRMPSB  by: KGR Salas   DA-BAFS HRMPSB Successfully Concludes Its 2025 Recruitment Season June 13, 2025 DA-BAFS Conducts First Surveillance of SIPBAFAMCO, Caraga’s First Accredited PGS Group June 13, 2025 Monitoring of Registered Organic Soil Amendment Products June 11, 2025 DA-BAFS Joins 9th ASEAN Organic Agriculture Meeting in Cambodia June 11, 2025 RECOGNITION AND ENGAGEMENT FORUM ON PHILIPPINE GOOD REGULATORY PRINCIPLES RECOGNITION AND AWARDS PROGRAM (PGRP-RAP) OF THE ANTI-RED TAPE AUTHORITY (ARTA) June 11, 2025 DA-BAFS Convenes Final Hybrid Stakeholder Consultation on Good Aquaculture Practices for Crustaceans. June 11, 2025 Field Compliance Assessment of Ongoing Efficacy Trials May 31, 2025 Capability Building Workshop for the Accredited Participatory Guarantee System – Organic Certifying Bodies (PGS-OCB) for Cluster 2 May 31, 2025 Other Post