PARTICIPATORY GUARANTEE SYSTEM (PGS)

The Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) is a method for certifying small farmers and fisherfolk, along with their farms, associations, or cooperatives, as participants in organic agriculture and producers of organic products. This system involves local certification by government agencies or Organic Certifying Bodies (OCBs), as outlined in RA 10068. Products certified through PGS are primarily intended for domestic markets unless they possess international certification or are covered by a mutual recognition agreement. PGS is a locally focused quality assurance system that emphasizes trust, social networks, and knowledge exchange among those involved in organic agriculture. It certifies producers as active practitioners of organic farming based on community-based assessment.

WHO MAY AVAIL OF THE SERVICE:

  • Farmers/Fisherfolks

REQUIREMENTS TO BE BROUGHT/ SUBMITTED

Initial Application:
Process Requirements (For membership)

  1. Endorsement Letter
  2. Original or Duplicate copy of the Mayor’s Permit
  3. Accomplished Application Form (PGS-Form)
  4. Organic Management Plan (OMP)
  5. Signed Farmer’s Pledge
  6. Farm map, and profile including practices
  7. Self-review on the status of their farm (Self-review form in Annex B.4)

Records Management (For PGS Group)

  1. Accomplished Application Forms (Annex B.l)
  2. Signed Farmer’s Pledges (Annex B.2)
  3. Signed Membership agreements (Annex B.3)
  4. Records generated from peer review and certification activities such;
    • accomplished self-review and peer review form
    • accomplished certification decision form; and
    • other documents that provide evidence of compliance
  5. Database (as indicated in the Report Template in Annex D)
  6. Accomplished Appeals Decision Forms and records generated from verifying the filed appeals and complaints
  7. Other records deemed necessary by the group
    • Procedure Manuals/Organic Management Plan
    • Proof of Registration to Municipal Council of Agriculture
    • Proof of Physical Office        

    SCHEDULE OF FEES
    No fees collected

    PERSON TO BE CONTACTED FOR INQUIRIES

    • Dr. Xandre D. Baccay
    • Ms. Marilyn G. Velarde
    • Mr. Roel R. Rubion

    EMAIL TO BE CONTACTED FOR INQUIRIES
    reg.gap@rfo3.da.gov.ph

    HOW TO AVAIL OF THE SERVICE

    Client Steps  (For Inspection)Service ProviderProcessing Time (Under Normal Circumstances)Person In Charge
    1. Waiting for Inspection Schedule1. Received Intent Letter from Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standard requesting for Inspection10 minutesDr. Xandre D. Baccay
    Chief, Regulatory Division  
    Marilyn G. Velarde Supervising Agriculturist
     1.2 Prepare letter request for submission of Farmer’s Document and Inspection Schedule to the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standard20 minutesDr. Xandre D. Baccay Chief, Regulatory Division   Marilyn G. Velarde Supervising Agriculturist
     1.3 Review the submitted document and assigned Inspection officer30 minutesDr. Xandre D. Baccay Chief, Regulatory Division   Marilyn G. Velarde Supervising Agriculturist
    2. Sign and signify conform inspection and prepare the farm for inspection and make available the pertinent documents2.1 Conduct inspection (Farm walk interview, entrance meeting)   (For 5 farmer member)5 days  Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standard   DA-RFO III Regulatory Division
     2.2 Prepare Inspection report and Closing meeting
    2.3 Signing of Inspection ReportBureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standard   DA-RFO III Regulatory Division   OAP Local Community Unit/ OAP Regional Technical Staff
    3. Resolve findings during inspection   Preparation of Correction and Corrective Action Plan3.1 Monitor the implementation of Correction and Corrective Action Plan1 dayBureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standard   DA-RFO III Regulatory Division
    4. Waiting for Farm Audit4.1 Received Intent Letter for farm audit from Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standard requesting for farm audit10 minutesDr. Xandre D. Baccay Chief, Regulatory Division Marilyn G. Velarde Supervising Agriculturist
    4.2 Prepare the letter request for submission of Farmer’s Document (operation manual) and schedule of farm audits to the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standard20 minutesDr. Xandre D. Baccay Chief, Regulatory Division
    Marilyn G. Velarde Supervising Agriculturist,
    4.3 Review the submitted document and assigned audit officers30 minutesDr. Xandre D. Baccay
    Chief, Regulatory Division
    Marilyn G. Velarde Supervising Agriculturist
     4.4 Conduct farm Audit (Office audit, witness audit)  5 days  Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standard   DA-RFO III Regulatory Division
     4.5 Prepare Audit report and Closing meeting 
     4.6 Signing of Audit ReportBureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standard   DA-RFO III Regulatory Division   OAP Local Community Unit/ OAP Regional Technical Staff
     4.7 Monitor the implementati on of Correction and Corrective Action Plan1 dayBureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standard   DA-RFO III Regulatory Division
     5. Received Intent Letter for yearly PGS Monitoring from Bureau of Agriculture and10 minutesDr. Xandre D. Baccay Chief, Regulatory Division   Marilyn G. Velarde Supervising Agriculturist
     6.Assigned Inspector for PGS Monitoring10 minutesDr. Xandre D. Baccay Chief, Regulatory Division   Marilyn G. Velarde Supervising Agriculturist
     7. Conduct of PGS Monitoring   Five Farm and one Office5 daysBureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standard   DA-RFO III Regulatory Division
     8. Prepare Monitoring Report Subjected to recommendation for revocation (if committed violation)
     9. Signing of Monitoring Report 
    END OF TRANSACTION

      Downloadables (Forms)

    1. Accreditation/Application Form
    2. Annexes