The DA-BAFS strengthened ties anew to its standing partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños-Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center UPLB Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center – AMTEC on March 12, 2025.The meeting focused on the review of the Terms of Reference (TOR) between DA-BAFS and UPLB-AMTEC, highlighting the crucial role of standards research as a key element in the development of agriculture and fishery (AF) machinery standards. UPLB-AMTEC is the premier and reference testing center for AF machinery in the Philippines. In accordance with Section 27 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10601 (Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Law), it is further mandated to assist the DA-BAFS in the formulation of quality, safety and performance of AF machinery standards.   Likewise, DA-BAFS secured a new collaboration with the DA-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization DA-PHilMech through an exploratory meeting held last March 28, 2025. The meeting aimed to identify areas for collaboration, such as the potential standardization of engineering materials for agricultural purposes. Substantially, as stipulated in Section 7 and Section 25 of RA No. 10611, the institution plays a vital role in organizing the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Research and Development Extension Network (AFMechRDEN). It was primarily tasked to coordinate, plan, and execute agricultural and fishery mechanization and postharvest research and development extension programs and projects of DA.The inter-agency meetings were spearheaded by the Officer-In-Charge, Director of BAFS, Mary Grace Mandigma, PFT and Project Management Team (PMT) of the Standards Development Division (SDD). Representatives from UPLB-AMTEC were Dr. Arthur Fajardo (Director) along with his Team and Dr. Dionisio Alvindia (Director) of DA- PHilMech with his delegation.The Bureau’s allegiance to working in synergy with key organizations in the agri-fishery sector reinforces its engagement in research-driven initiatives. These efforts ensure the continuous alignment and enhancement of AF machinery standards, further solidifying its role in upholding agriculture and fishery mechanization in the country.#BAFSonthemove#AFMS#afmachinery#AMTEC#DAPHilMech DA-BAFS strengthened ties anew to its standing partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños-Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center UPLB Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center – AMTEC April 4, 2025 DA-BAFS Conducts Initial Surveillance of ALASFA PGS Group in Leyte April 3, 2025 Inspection of Core PGS Farmer-Members, Province of Ifugao April 3, 2025 Preinspection to Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Core Farmer-Members at San Vicente, Palawan March 31, 2025 Supervised Certification of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group March 31, 2025 Sowing Seeds of Equality: BAFS’ Women’s Month Empowerment March 31, 2025 Monitoring of Registered Organic Input in Cebu. March 27, 2025 Supervised Certification Activity was Facilitated for a PGS group in Camarines Norte. March 27, 2025 Other Post

A participant shared during a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) held in Lipa City, Batangas, on March 26, 2025 that the Philippine National Standard (PNS) Code of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) has helped improve their farm operations.The DA-BAFS Technical Services Division (TSD) successfully conducted the FGD with 14 PhilGAP-certified farms in CALABARZON, alongside representatives from the DA Regional Field Office-Regulatory Division and the DA-Lipa Agricultural Research and Experimental Station (LARES). The FGD explored farmers’ perceptions, opinions, and experiences in complying with the PNS Code of GAP.This activity is part of the DA-BAFS study titled “Perceptions on the Contribution of the Philippine National Standard (PNS) Code of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to PhilGAP-Certified Farms.” #PNS #GAP #PhilGAP  DA-BAFS strengthened ties anew to its standing partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños-Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center UPLB Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center – AMTEC April 4, 2025 The DA-BAFS Technical Services Division (TSD) successfully conducted the FGD with 14 PhilGAP-certified farms in CALABARZON. April 3, 2025 DA-BAFS Conducts Initial Surveillance of ALASFA PGS Group in Leyte April 3, 2025 Inspection of Core PGS Farmer-Members, Province of Ifugao April 3, 2025 Preinspection to Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Core Farmer-Members at San Vicente, Palawan March 31, 2025 Supervised Certification of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group March 31, 2025 Sowing Seeds of Equality: BAFS’ Women’s Month Empowerment March 31, 2025 Monitoring of Registered Organic Input in Cebu. March 27, 2025 Other Post

The DA-BAFS Conducts Initial Surveillance of ALASFA PGS Group in Leyte Alangalang, Leyte— The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS) conducted its first surveillance of the Alangalang Agri-preneurs Services Farmers Association (ALASFA) Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group on April 1-3, 2025 to assess its continued compliance as an accredited Organic Certifying Body (OCB). The surveillance aimed to ensure that ALASFA, which received its accreditation as a PGS OCB in May 2024, remains competent, impartial, and consistent in its certification activities. The assessment covered office-based evaluation and a witness audit of the group’s peer review process. This is a critical step in verifying the integrity of ALASFA’s certification system and its adherence to accreditation standards. Technical personnel from the DA Regional Field Office-Eastern Visayas assisted in the conduct of the surveillance. While specific findings of the assessment remain confidential, DA-BAFS noted that ALASFA showed openness to improvement and a strong commitment to enhancing its certification system. The group must address the identified findings to maintain its accreditation and continue operating as an OCB. This surveillance is part of DA-BAFS’ ongoing efforts to strengthen the implementation of the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) in the Philippines, ensuring that organic certification bodies operate with credibility and effectiveness in supporting the country’s organic agriculture sector. For PGS groups like ALASFA, accreditation is not just a compliance requirement but a commitment to upholding the integrity of organic certification and building trust among farmers and consumers.#OAassessment#PGSforOA#OrganicAgriculture#BAFSonthemove#DABAFS  DA-BAFS Conducts Initial Surveillance of ALASFA PGS Group in Leyte April 3, 2025 Inspection of Core PGS Farmer-Members, Province of Ifugao April 3, 2025 Preinspection to Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Core Farmer-Members at San Vicente, Palawan March 31, 2025 Supervised Certification of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group March 31, 2025 Sowing Seeds of Equality: BAFS’ Women’s Month Empowerment March 31, 2025 Monitoring of Registered Organic Input in Cebu. March 27, 2025 Supervised Certification Activity was Facilitated for a PGS group in Camarines Norte. March 27, 2025 Monitoring of Certified Core PGS Farmer-Members March 25, 2025 Other Post

A joint inspection by the DA-BAFS and DA-Regional Field Office Region CAR, with support from regional and local agricultural offices, verified the compliance of five Ifugao PGS farmer-members with Philippine National Organic Agriculture Standards, March 25-27, 2025. The inspection was conducted to verify their compliance with the Philippine National Standard relevant to organic agriculture.Representatives from the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center, Regional Organic Agriculture Program, Provincial Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources Office-Ifugao, Agricultural Program Coordinating Office -Ifugao and Municipal Agriculture Office of Lagawe, Kiangan and Asipulo assisted in the activity.#OAinspection#Organic Agriculture#PGSforOA#BAFSonthemove#DABAFS  Inspection of Core PGS Farmer-Members, Province of Ifugao April 3, 2025 Preinspection to Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Core Farmer-Members at San Vicente, Palawan March 31, 2025 Supervised Certification of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group March 31, 2025 Sowing Seeds of Equality: BAFS’ Women’s Month Empowerment March 31, 2025 Monitoring of Registered Organic Input in Cebu. March 27, 2025 Supervised Certification Activity was Facilitated for a PGS group in Camarines Norte. March 27, 2025 Monitoring of Certified Core PGS Farmer-Members March 25, 2025 Raising the Bar for Philippine Honey with the Philippine National Standards (PNS) on Honey — Product Standard — Specifications (PNS/BAFS 185:2022) March 25, 2025 Other Post