August 18, 2021. The Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), through its Organic Agriculture Division- Registration and Evaluation Section, concluded the training for individual researchers authorized to conduct efficacy trials for Organic Biocontrol Agents last August 11-13, 2021. The activity was attended by 15 participants from the private and public institutions, including the academe as well as independent researchers from the different regions of the country who interactively participated in the discussion and willingly imparted their knowledge in conducting field research.
The training aims to capacitate the researchers on applicable BAFS standards that govern the regulation of OBCA and upskill researchers’ knowledge in conducting efficacy trials for OBCA.
Assistant Director Mary Grace R. Mandigma on her message emphasizes the mandates of BAFS relative to the registration of organic inputs and the roles of researchers in ensuring that organic inputs being offered in the market are efficacious and had undergone and complied with the necessary regulatory processes.
The BAFS-OAD presented the topics such as: Republic Act (RA) 11511 amending RA 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, relevant Philippine National Standards (PNS), existing Department Circulars for registration, and BAFS Manual for the Conduct of OBCA Efficacy Trials. After the presentations, a workshop was conducted for the participants to formulate their own efficacy trial based on the Manual. The individual outputs were presented for comments and the final versions were subsequently submitted for reference.
In closing, Ms. Joeve S. Calleja, Chief of the Organic Agriculture Division, explained that the outputs of the training will be taken into consideration to further improve and enhance the registration system. She also expressed that the researchers will serve as extension arms of the BAFS in educating clients on the registration requirements and processes in their respective areas.
A Special Order to be signed by the DA Secretary will be drafted to include the participants who have complied with the necessary training requirements in the current list of BAFS OBCA researchers. ###
Figure 1. Photo opt with BAFS OAD and training participants after the discussion of relevant
Philippine National Standards, Department Circulars and PGS.
Figure 2. Mr. Gerald Cammagay, Chief of Registration and Evaluation Section
discussed the rationale of the training.
Figure 3. Ms. Joeve S. Calleja, Chief of Organic Agriculture Division, gave her Closing Remarks
and commends the interactive discussion which transpired during the training.