DA-BAFS Conducts Second Surveillance of Catubig Organic Farmers Association

Catubig, Northern Samar — The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS) conducted the second surveillance of the Catubig Organic Farmers Association (COFA) on July 14–17, 2025 to assess the group’s continued compliance with accreditation requirements as a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Organic Certifying Body (OCB).

 

The surveillance covered an office-based assessment of records and documentation, along with witnessing the group’s peer review activities. These activities aimed to verify if the group remains competent, impartial, and consistent in implementing its Manual of Operations.

 

Initial results show that while COFA continues to carry out its responsibilities as an OCB, there is a need for further improvement in the implementation of its Manual of Operations to ensure more consistent and credible certification practices.

 

The assessment was conducted with the assistance of technical staff from the DA Regional Field Office in Eastern Visayas, as well as representatives from the Municipal Government of Catubig, who joined the activity in support of the group’s ongoing work in organic agriculture.