Argao and Sibonga, Cebu — The DA-BAFS Compliance Assistance Team provided technical assistance through the conduct of a Supervised Certification to PESTALES Agri-Coop from March 23 to 27, 2026. The supervised certification aimed to assist PESTALES Agri-Coop in effectively carrying out its functions as a PGS-OCB. The activity covered key certification processes, including application handling, peer review, certification review, and the granting and issuance of the Participatory Organic Certificate (POC). A re-orientation on OCB operations, along with a discussion of the minimum required procedures in the Manual of Operations (MO), was also undertaken to reinforce the proper implementation of certification procedures. Through these activities, PESTALES Agri-Coop was further equipped to effectively perform inspection and certification services in accordance with its MO and to ensure that applicants comply with the established Internal Standards. The activity was supported by the DA-Regional Field Office VII and the Local Government Unit of Argao. #OAtechnicalassistance#PGSforOA#OrganicAgriculture#BAFSonthemove#DABAFS  Supervised Certification of an Accredited Participatory Guarantee System-Organic Certifying Body (PGS-OCB) March 31, 2026 The DA-BAFS proudly welcomes back Director Karen Kristine A. Roscom, PFT, PhD, CESO III, as she resumes her role as Director of BAFS. March 27, 2026 Pretesting of the Manual for the Regional Pre-assessment Team (RPAT) March 25, 2026 Field Data Gathering for the Development of Explanatory Manual for PNS Code of Good Beekeeping Practice and Illustrative Guide for PNS Honey – Production Standard- Specifications March 23, 2026 Sectoral Meeting on Philippine National Standards (PNS) for Crops March 23, 2026 Sectoral Meeting for the Philippine National Standandards (PNS) 0n Livestock and Poultry March 18, 2026 Supervised Certification of an Accredited Participatory Guarantee System-Organic Certifying Body (PGS-OCB) March 18, 2026 A Commitment to Merit-Based Standards March 17, 2026 Other Post

Director Roscom previously served as Officer-in-Charge of the DA–Policy Research Service (PRS) under Special Order No. 1402, Series of 2024. With the issuance of Special Order No. 392, Series of 2026, her designation has been officially revoked, marking her return to DA-BAFS leadership.To ensure a smooth transition, a Townhall and Management Committee Meetings were conducted on March 23 and 25 to facilitate the transition of leadership and to apprise Director Roscom of the current standing, ongoing initiatives, and key priorities of DA-BAFS. We also extend our sincere appreciation to Ms. Mary Grace Mandigma, PFT, for her dedicated service as Officer-in-Charge of DA-BAFS during Director Roscom’s designation at DA-PRS. Her leadership and commitment have greatly contributed to the continued delivery of the bureau’s mandate. DA-BAFS looks forward to Director Roscom’s continued guidance in advancing agriculture and fisheries standards for a more resilient and competitive sector.#BAFS#BAFSontheMove  The DA-BAFS proudly welcomes back Director Karen Kristine A. Roscom, PFT, PhD, CESO III, as she resumes her role as Director of BAFS. March 27, 2026 Pretesting of the Manual for the Regional Pre-assessment Team (RPAT) March 25, 2026 Field Data Gathering for the Development of Explanatory Manual for PNS Code of Good Beekeeping Practice and Illustrative Guide for PNS Honey – Production Standard- Specifications March 23, 2026 Sectoral Meeting on Philippine National Standards (PNS) for Crops March 23, 2026 Sectoral Meeting for the Philippine National Standandards (PNS) 0n Livestock and Poultry March 18, 2026 Supervised Certification of an Accredited Participatory Guarantee System-Organic Certifying Body (PGS-OCB) March 18, 2026 A Commitment to Merit-Based Standards March 17, 2026 Field Compliance Assessment of Ongoing Efficacy Trials with Approved Experimental Use Permits March 13, 2026 Other Post

The DA-BAFS Compliance Assistance Section conducted a three-day pretesting of the RPAT Manual on March 17–19, 2026, via Google Meet. Participants included RPAT members and representatives from DA-Agricultural Training Institute and DA-National Organic Agriculture Program-National Program Coordinating Office. See more at https://bit.ly/PretestingRPATManual #OAComplianceAssistance#ManualPretesting#OrganicAgriculture#BAFSonthemove#DABAFS  Pretesting of the Manual for the Regional Pre-assessment Team (RPAT) March 25, 2026 Field Data Gathering for the Development of Explanatory Manual for PNS Code of Good Beekeeping Practice and Illustrative Guide for PNS Honey – Production Standard- Specifications March 23, 2026 Sectoral Meeting on Philippine National Standards (PNS) for Crops March 23, 2026 Sectoral Meeting for the Philippine National Standandards (PNS) 0n Livestock and Poultry March 18, 2026 Supervised Certification of an Accredited Participatory Guarantee System-Organic Certifying Body (PGS-OCB) March 18, 2026 A Commitment to Merit-Based Standards March 17, 2026 Field Compliance Assessment of Ongoing Efficacy Trials with Approved Experimental Use Permits March 13, 2026 DA-BAFS Technical Services Division shares result of the 2025 L&D Analysis March 10, 2026 Other Post

In collaboration with experts from Benguet State University (BSU), the Standards Knowledge Management Section (SKMS) under the Technical Services Division of DA-BAFS conducted a Field Data Gathering Activity for the development of two (2) knowledge products: the Explanatory Manual for PNS Code of Good Beekeeping Practices, and the Illustrative Guide for PNS Honey – Product Standard – Specifications. With support from BSU experts and Technical Working Group members Ms. Lucille Faroden and Mr. Leo Kimbungan, the team visited various apiaries in the Cordillera Administrative Region from March 9-13, 2026. During the activity, actual beekeeping practices, techniques, and tools were documented to ensure that the developed knowledge products are grounded in real field conditions. These knowledge products aim to complement the PNS by providing clearer explanations, practical insights, and visual references to support stakeholders in understanding and adopting the standards effectively. #BAFS#PNS#Beekeeping#Honey  Field Data Gathering for the Development of Explanatory Manual for PNS Code of Good Beekeeping Practice and Illustrative Guide for PNS Honey – Production Standard- Specifications March 23, 2026 Sectoral Meeting on Philippine National Standards (PNS) for Crops March 23, 2026 Sectoral Meeting for the Philippine National Standandards (PNS) 0n Livestock and Poultry March 18, 2026 Supervised Certification of an Accredited Participatory Guarantee System-Organic Certifying Body (PGS-OCB) March 18, 2026 A Commitment to Merit-Based Standards March 17, 2026 Field Compliance Assessment of Ongoing Efficacy Trials with Approved Experimental Use Permits March 13, 2026 DA-BAFS Technical Services Division shares result of the 2025 L&D Analysis March 10, 2026 DA-BAFS Participates in FAO-Spearheaded Fleming Fund AMR Project Exit Meeting March 6, 2026 Other Post

As part of its continuous effort to strengthen collaboration with government agencies, the DA-BAFS, through the Standards Development Division (SDD), successfully conducted a Sectoral Meeting on Philippine National Standards (PNS) for Crops on March 19, 2026, at the DA-BAFS Building, BPI Compound, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. The activity brought together representatives from various partner government offices to present the Bureau’s Programs, Activities, and Projects (PAPs) related to Standards Development for CY 2026–2028. This initiative focused on the development of Philippine National Standards for agricultural crops (food and non-food) commodities. Further, the activity facilitated the validation of the priority areas for standards development, ensuring that these initiatives remain responsive, relevant, and aligned with the needs of the agriculture and fisheries sectors. Through active participation and valuable inputs from the participants, the Bureau aims to enhance the quality, safety, and competitiveness of Philippine agricultural products in both local and global markets. DA-BAFS expresses its sincere appreciation to all participants for their support and contribution to the advancement of standards development in the country. #Crops#StandardsDevelopment#FoodSafety#BAFS  Sectoral Meeting on Philippine National Standards (PNS) for Crops March 23, 2026 Sectoral Meeting for the Philippine National Standandards (PNS) 0n Livestock and Poultry March 18, 2026 Supervised Certification of an Accredited Participatory Guarantee System-Organic Certifying Body (PGS-OCB) March 18, 2026 A Commitment to Merit-Based Standards March 17, 2026 Field Compliance Assessment of Ongoing Efficacy Trials with Approved Experimental Use Permits March 13, 2026 DA-BAFS Technical Services Division shares result of the 2025 L&D Analysis March 10, 2026 DA-BAFS Participates in FAO-Spearheaded Fleming Fund AMR Project Exit Meeting March 6, 2026 Philippines Takes the Lead in ASEAN Workshop on Harmonization of National Standards with ASEAN Standards for Horticultural Produce and Other Food Crops March 5, 2026 Other Post

The DA-BAFS, through its Standards Development Division (SDD), successfully conducted a Sectoral Meeting for Philippine National Standards (PNS) on livestock and poultry category on March 18, 2026 at the DA-BAFS Building in Visayas Avenue, Quezon City. The meeting gathered representatives from partner agencies to present and discuss the Programs, Activities, and Projects (PAPs) for CY 2026–2028 related to the development of PNS for the livestock and poultry. Participants provided valuable inputs and recommendations to ensure that the prioritized standards remain relevant, and responsive to the evolving needs of the industry. The activity also served as a platform to strengthen coordination among stakeholders and outline the ways forward for the development of livestock and poultry standards in the coming years. DA-BAFS extends its appreciation to all partner agencies and participants for their active engagement and continued support in the development of PNS. #Livestock#Poultry#StandardsDevelopment#FoodSafety Sectoral Meeting for the Philippine National Standandards (PNS) 0n Livestock and Poultry March 18, 2026 Supervised Certification of an Accredited Participatory Guarantee System-Organic Certifying Body (PGS-OCB) March 18, 2026 A Commitment to Merit-Based Standards March 17, 2026 Field Compliance Assessment of Ongoing Efficacy Trials with Approved Experimental Use Permits March 13, 2026 DA-BAFS Technical Services Division shares result of the 2025 L&D Analysis March 10, 2026 DA-BAFS Participates in FAO-Spearheaded Fleming Fund AMR Project Exit Meeting March 6, 2026 Philippines Takes the Lead in ASEAN Workshop on Harmonization of National Standards with ASEAN Standards for Horticultural Produce and Other Food Crops March 5, 2026 DA-BAFS Technical Services Division (TSD) Secures PSA Clearance for 2026 AFMech-Related PNS Baseline Assessment Survey March 5, 2026 Other Post

Gandara, Samar – The DA-BAFS Compliance Assistance Team provided technical assistance through the conduct of Supervised Certification to One Samar Agro-Organic Practitioners Inc. (ONE-SAOP), from March 9-13, 2026. The supervised certification was conducted to assist ONE-SAOP in carrying out its functions as a PGS-OCB. The activity covered key certification processes, including application handling, peer reviews, certification reviews, and the granting and issuance of the Participatory Organic Certificate (POC). A re-orientation on OCB operations was also undertaken to reinforce the proper implementation of certification procedures. Through these activities, ONE-SAOP was further equipped to effectively carry out inspection and certification services in accordance with its Manual of Operations and to ensure that applicants comply with the established Internal Standards. The activity was supported by the DA-Regional Field Office VIII and the Local Government Unit of Gandara. #OAtechnicalassistance#PGSforOA#OrganicAgriculture#BAFSonthemove#DABAFS  Supervised Certification of an Accredited Participatory Guarantee System-Organic Certifying Body (PGS-OCB) March 18, 2026 A Commitment to Merit-Based Standards March 17, 2026 Field Compliance Assessment of Ongoing Efficacy Trials with Approved Experimental Use Permits March 13, 2026 DA-BAFS Technical Services Division shares result of the 2025 L&D Analysis March 10, 2026 DA-BAFS Participates in FAO-Spearheaded Fleming Fund AMR Project Exit Meeting March 6, 2026 Philippines Takes the Lead in ASEAN Workshop on Harmonization of National Standards with ASEAN Standards for Horticultural Produce and Other Food Crops March 5, 2026 DA-BAFS Technical Services Division (TSD) Secures PSA Clearance for 2026 AFMech-Related PNS Baseline Assessment Survey March 5, 2026 DA-BAFS Hosted the ASEAN Good Animal Husbandry-Expert Working Group (EWD) Workshop March 5, 2026 Other Post

The DA-BAFS reached another significant milestone; this time, through its human resource management by attaining Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) Maturity Level 2 in its Recruitment, Selection, and Placement (RSP) pillar. Director Mark Anthony V. Bercando, Acting Director II of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) DA-DENR Field Office officially awarded the Certificate of Recognition to DA-BAFS on March 3, 2026. This achievement was made possible through the steadfast leadership and support of Officer-in-Charge Director Mary Grace R. Mandigma, PFT, whose guidance ensured the Bureau’s alignment with national civil service standards. Under her direction, the initiative was spearheaded by Ms. Roxanne P. Lizardo (Administrative Officer V) of the Administrative and Finance Services – Administrative and Support Section (AFS-ASS) and Ms. Lhesley Anne Bulanier (Senior Administrative Assistant III) of the AFS-ASS Human Resource Management Unit. The success was further bolstered by the DA-BAFS Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board (HRMPSB), chaired by Atty. Roland A. Tulay, Director IV of the DA Administrative Service, and supported by Ms. Rosemarie V. Calibo, HRMPSB Secretariat Head; Mr. Mark Brian Umali (Senior Administrative Assistant III); and Ms. Jamby Joyce Ruzol (Administrative Assistant V). According to Director Bercando, this milestone reflects the Bureau’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its strict adherence to merit-based human resource standards under the PRIME-HRM. This accomplishment serves as a testament to the Bureau’s dedication to professionalizing its internal systems and institutionalizing meritocracy in public service. By meeting these rigorous standards, DA-BAFS reinforces its mission to provide efficient and high-quality service to the agriculture and fisheries sectors.###  A Commitment to Merit-Based Standards March 17, 2026 Field Compliance Assessment of Ongoing Efficacy Trials with Approved Experimental Use Permits March 13, 2026 DA-BAFS Technical Services Division shares result of the 2025 L&D Analysis March 10, 2026 DA-BAFS Participates in FAO-Spearheaded Fleming Fund AMR Project Exit Meeting March 6, 2026 Philippines Takes the Lead in ASEAN Workshop on Harmonization of National Standards with ASEAN Standards for Horticultural Produce and Other Food Crops March 5, 2026 DA-BAFS Technical Services Division (TSD) Secures PSA Clearance for 2026 AFMech-Related PNS Baseline Assessment Survey March 5, 2026 DA-BAFS Hosted the ASEAN Good Animal Husbandry-Expert Working Group (EWD) Workshop March 5, 2026 ENSURING THE INTEGRITY OF ORGANIC CERTIFICATION January 20, 2026 Other Post

Field Compliance Assessment (FCA) of ongoing efficacy trials with approved Experimental Use Permits (EUPs) Provinces of Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan – The DA-BAFS FCA Team, composed of personnel from the DA-BAFS Registration Section and the DA-RFO III Regulatory Division, conducted an on-site assessment of the ongoing efficacy trials of HealthWellnessLifestyle Inc. on March 12, 2026. This activity was undertaken to ensure that the trials continue to comply with the requirements of the approved Experimental Use Permit (EUP). Efficacy trials conducted under an EUP serve as a prerequisite for the registration of Organic Bio-Control Agent (OBCA) products, helping ensure their effectiveness and compliance with existing regulations. #OAassessment#OAregistration#OrganicAgriculture#BAFSonthemove#DABAFS  Field Compliance Assessment of Ongoing Efficacy Trials with Approved Experimental Use Permits March 13, 2026 DA-BAFS Technical Services Division shares result of the 2025 L&D Analysis March 10, 2026 DA-BAFS Participates in FAO-Spearheaded Fleming Fund AMR Project Exit Meeting March 6, 2026 Philippines Takes the Lead in ASEAN Workshop on Harmonization of National Standards with ASEAN Standards for Horticultural Produce and Other Food Crops March 5, 2026 DA-BAFS Technical Services Division (TSD) Secures PSA Clearance for 2026 AFMech-Related PNS Baseline Assessment Survey March 5, 2026 DA-BAFS Hosted the ASEAN Good Animal Husbandry-Expert Working Group (EWD) Workshop March 5, 2026 ENSURING THE INTEGRITY OF ORGANIC CERTIFICATION January 20, 2026 Monitoring of Registered Organic Soil Amendment (OSA) Product December 13, 2025 Other Post

The DA–BAFS shares the results of the 2025 BAFS Knowledge Management: Analysis of Learning and Development (L&D) Activities, highlighting the effectiveness of its webinars and physical seminars in strengthening awareness and understanding of Philippine National Standards (PNS). Based on analyzed data from Facebook metrics, consolidated pre- and post-training examination results, and customer satisfaction feedback, both learning modalities (i.e., webinars and physical seminars) significantly improved participants’ knowledge and received high satisfaction ratings. Webinars were appreciated for their convenience, relevance, and well-structured sessions, while physical seminars were valued for their interactive discussions and clear guidance from experts. The findings also support the Bureau’s transition toward a Progressive Learning Strategy (PLS) to further enhance engagement, promote independent learning, and strengthen long-term capacity in standards implementation.These insights will help guide the continuous improvement of BAFS L&D activities in support of its mandate to strengthen competencies in the implementation of Philippine National Standards. Read the full L&D Report at: bit.ly/2025BAFSLnDReport #DABAFS#BAFSLearningAndDevelopment#CapacityBuilding#Progress#BAFSLearningAndDevelopment#CapacityBuilding#progress#progressivelearningiveLearning  DA-BAFS Technical Services Division shares result of the 2025 L&D Analysis March 10, 2026 DA-BAFS Participates in FAO-Spearheaded Fleming Fund AMR Project Exit Meeting March 6, 2026 Philippines Takes the Lead in ASEAN Workshop on Harmonization of National Standards with ASEAN Standards for Horticultural Produce and Other Food Crops March 5, 2026 DA-BAFS Technical Services Division (TSD) Secures PSA Clearance for 2026 AFMech-Related PNS Baseline Assessment Survey March 5, 2026 DA-BAFS Hosted the ASEAN Good Animal Husbandry-Expert Working Group (EWD) Workshop March 5, 2026 ENSURING THE INTEGRITY OF ORGANIC CERTIFICATION January 20, 2026 Monitoring of Registered Organic Soil Amendment (OSA) Product December 13, 2025 Inspection for the Certification of Core-Farmer Members of Participatory Guarntee System Group | Pampanga December 13, 2025 Other Post