A supervised certification service was provided to the PGS group in Sta. Maria, Isabela on April 8 to 11, 2025. This technical assistance provided by DA-BAFS Compliance Assessment Team, ATI-RTC Cagayan Valley and DA-RFO Cagayan Valley Organic Agriculture Program to a PGS group is intended to guide peer reviewers in verifying the compliance of applicant farmer members with the PGS group’s Internal Standards (IS). Further, the activity aims that the organic certification process is conducted in full compliance with the group’s Manual of Operations (MOO).#OAtechnicalassistance#PGSforOA#OrganicAgriculture#BAFSonthemove#DABAFS  A supervised certification service was provided to the PGS group in Sta. Maria, Isabela April 15, 2025 DA-BAFS conducted the first surveillance of the Batangas Organic and Natural Farming Agriculture Cooperative (BONFAC) April 15, 2025 Benchmarking Philrice and PCC – Immersive Artifact April 15, 2025 DA-BAFS collaborates with University of the Philippines Los Baños-Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (UPLB-AMTEC) and DA-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization DA-PHilMech. 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 Other Post

San Jose, Batangas – The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS) conducted the first surveillance of the Batangas Organic and Natural Farming Agriculture Cooperative (BONFAC) on April 8–10, 2025 to evaluate its continued compliance as an accredited Organic Certifying Body (OCB). The surveillance included an office-based assessment and witnessing of peer review activities. Technical personnel from the DA Regional Field Office and the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) CALABARZON assisted in the conduct of the activity. BONFAC demonstrated strong collaboration with key partners, including the Local Government Unit of San Jose, DA-RFO, and ATI-RTC CALABARZON. Their active coordination with these stakeholders supports their compliance efforts and commitment to sustainable organic agriculture. Following the surveillance, BONFAC is required to submit acceptable corrections and corrective actions to address the noncompliances identified. Once verified, the group may be granted a Certificate of Continuing Accreditation for Crop Production and Animal Production. This surveillance highlights the importance of continuous improvement and stakeholder support in sustaining credible organic certification under the PGS system. #OAassessment #PGSforOA #OrganicAgriculture #BAFSonthemove #DABAFS See less 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 Inspection of Core PGS Farmer-Members May 30, 2025 Capability Building Workshop for the Accredited Participatory Guarantee System – Organic Certifying Bodies (PGS-OCB) for Cluster 1 May 30, 2025 Monitoring of Organic Farmer-Practioner Assosciation of Bayawan (OFPRAB) PGS Group. May 30, 2025 Assessment of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group May 30, 2025 he Standards Development Division (SDD) of DA-BAFS conducted a hybrid Technical Working Group (TWG) Writeshop for the development of two Philippine National Standards (PNS) on food inspection and certification systems. May 28, 2025 National Quality Infrastructure Assessment at DA-BAFS May 22, 2025 Other Post

The DA-BAFS conducted a benchmarking activity with the @DA-Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) last April 10-11, 2025. This initiative aims to gather insights from these government agencies who are recognized as models because of their well established Knowledge Management Systems (KMS), to guide the development and operationalization of the Bureau’s own KMS in the coming years. The information-sharing sessions focused on the agencies’ KM frameworks, strategies, and best practices, with the end goal of identifying effective strategies for knowledge capture, sharing, and utilization techniques; learning about successful KM tools and technologies, organizational structures and processes facilitating KM implementation, and gathering insights on how to foster a knowledge-sharing culture. The output of this immersion is expected to provide valuable inputs for DA-BAFS’ divisions, enabling the organization to develop a robust and contextually relevant KMS workplan.### #bafs #kms #PhilRice #pcc    Benchmarking Philrice and PCC – Immersive Artifact April 15, 2025 DA-BAFS collaborates with University of the Philippines Los Baños-Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (UPLB-AMTEC) and DA-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization DA-PHilMech. 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 Other Post

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

The DA-BAFS Compliance Assistance Team, in coordination with the DA-RFO IV MIMAROPA Organic Agriculture Program and the LGU of San Vicente, provided pre-inspection technical assistance in San Vicente from February 24-28, 2025, to aid a group in their organic certification application preparation.#OAtechnicalassistance#BAFS#BAFSonthemove#PGSforOA Preinspection to Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Core Farmer-Members at San Vicente, Palawan April 2, 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 Surveillance Assessment of PGS Group for Accreditation as Organic Certifying Body March 20, 2025 Other Post

A joint effort by the DA-BAFS Compliance Assistance Team, DA-RFO VI, DA-ATI RTC VI, the Provincial Agriculture Office of Iloilo, and the LGU of Pototan facilitated supervised certification for a PGS group in Iloilo from March 19-21, 2025. This initiative provided technical assistance to ensure the group’s compliance with their Manual of Operations (MOO) during the organic certification process.#OAtechnicalassistance#BAFS#BAFSonthemove#PGSforOA Supervised Certification of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group April 2, 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 Surveillance Assessment of PGS Group for Accreditation as Organic Certifying Body March 20, 2025 DA-BAFS Standards Research Division (SRD) and Standards Development Division (SDD) conducted in-person interviews, coordinated with DA-Regional Field Offices in Central Luzon and SOCCSKSARGEN. March 20, 2025 Other Post

Sowing Seeds of Equality: BAFS’ Women’s Month EmpowermentMarch is a month dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women and advocating for gender equality. Throughout history, women have played pivotal roles in shaping our world, from groundbreaking scientific discoveries to leading social movements. In the Philippines, this celebration is particularly significant, rooted in legal frameworks such as Republic Act 9710, also known as the Magna Carta of Women, which mandates the protection and promotion of women’s rights.The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS) celebrates Women’s Month by orchestrating a series of impactful events with a diverse range of activities throughout March. The theme, “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas,” emphasizes the vital role of women across all sectors.Recognizing the indispensable contributions of women across all facets of society, BAFS aims to cultivate a more inclusive and equitable environment both within its organization and the broader agricultural sectors. The celebration kicks off with an essential in-house seminar focused on fostering gender sensitivity within the workplace, equipping staff with the tools to champion equality. Simultaneously, the KADIWA Trade Fair serves as a platform to showcase the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative products of women in agriculture and fisheries, highlighting their pivotal role in the sector’s growth. Adding a touch of reflection and inspiration, a special film screening dedicated to National Women’s Month also provides opportunity for collective learning and empowerment. As the month draws to a close, BAFS expresses its gratitude through the distribution of thoughtfully selected bookmarks and gifts, serving as tokens of appreciation for the invaluable contributions of women. Through these diverse initiatives, BAFS not only celebrates the achievements of women but also reinforces its commitment to building a future where gender equality is deeply ingrained in the fabric of the Bagong Pilipinas, ensuring and empowering women as leaders and agents of progress in the nation’s development. #BAFS#WomensMonth#march#GAD  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 Surveillance Assessment of PGS Group for Accreditation as Organic Certifying Body March 20, 2025 DA-BAFS Standards Research Division (SRD) and Standards Development Division (SDD) conducted in-person interviews, coordinated with DA-Regional Field Offices in Central Luzon and SOCCSKSARGEN. March 20, 2025 Field Compliance Assessment of Ongoing Efficacy Trials March 19, 2025 Other Post