The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office XII (DA-RFO XII), through its Organic Agriculture Program (OAP), strengthened the capabilities of Participatory Guarantee System – Organic Certifying Bodies (PGS-OCBs) from the provinces of South Cotabato and Cotabato through a three-day Capability Building conducted on July 21–23, 2026, at Sarangani Highlands, General Santos City.
Rodrigo S. Guillermo, Jr., senior agriculturist and OAP focal person, said that the activity was organized in response to the increasing number of organic farms receiving PGS organic certifications in the region. “As more farmers embrace organic agriculture, the need for a stronger and more reliable certification system has become increasingly important to uphold the integrity and credibility of certified organic products,” he explained.
The activity, he further shared, also served as a venue for collaboration and sharing of best practices among PGS-OCBs, helping promote a more consistent and transparent implementation of the certification process.
During the training, participants enhanced their knowledge of PGS standards, certification procedures, and the latest policies and regulations governing organic certification.
Juvy P. Castillon, chairperson of Farmers’ Alliance for Land and Agroecology Industry, Inc., emphasized the value of the training in strengthening their competence as certifying bodies. “Malaki ang tulong ng training na ito dahil naintindihan namin lalo na ang role namin sa Certification/Peer Review Committee as certifying bodies,” he said adding that they were also enlightened about the standards, proper evaluation procedures, documentation requirements and ethical decision making. “It also increased our confidence and credibility in carrying out our responsibilities fairly, accurately, and transparently,” Castillon said.
After the training, Guillermo hopes that PGS-OCBs have gained essential knowledge and skills to conduct objective and high-quality peer reviews and certification processes.
“The DA-RFO XII will continue to hone the competence of our certifying bodies to uphold transparent and credible certification system that enhances consumer confidence in locally produced organic products while we also support the sustained growth of organic agriculture in the region,” he said. (NPBAgapay)
Members of the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) – Organic Certifying Bodies from the provinces of South Cotabato and Cotabato gather for a group photo to conclude the three-day Capability Building after gaining essential knowledge in PGS standards, peer review, and organic certification, reinforcing their commitment to promoting a credible and transparent organic certification system in SOCCSKSARGEN.