QUEZON CITY, Metro Manila—In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the global PGS initiative, the Philippines kicked off the first International Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Summit at the Seda Vertis North. Organized by the Department of Agriculture (DA), through the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP) and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), the summit brings together organic agriculture (OA) practitioners, stakeholders, and PGS experts from around the world to share ideas and experiences aimed at strengthening the country’s organic farming framework.
The summit, which runs from November 26-28, aims to create meaningful dialogue among organic agriculture stakeholders, assess the current state of organic farming in the Philippines, and develop strategies to address the challenges faced by the local PGS. The event will also present the evolution and impact of the Participatory Guarantee System globally, while fostering collaboration and relationships among all involved in the organic sector.
“This summit is not just an ordinary event, it is a testament to our collective commitment to sustainability, community empowerment, and to the continuous development of the organic agriculture industry in the Philippines. As we are gathered here today, we are in the position to leverage the PGS principles and forge programs toward resilient and equitable food systems.” expressed Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. in his message that was delivered by DA Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero.
NOAP Director Bernadette San Juan stressed the importance of event to the organic agriculture sector. “The Summit aims to ignite a passion for organic agriculture in both consumers and producers, inspiring a collective movement towards a healthier and more sustainable future,” she said.
The opening program was highlighted by the launching of the Organic Agriculture Marketplace—a web-based platform where consumers can directly buy products from organic agriculture farmers. The platform aims to simplify market access while empowering farmers, and enabling them to reach both local and global markets. OA Marketplace is a bold step in modernizing and supporting the organic agriculture sector in the country, as a result of the collaborative efforts of the NOAP, Information and Communication Technology Service of DA, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The OA Market Place is accessible at http://organic.da.gov.ph.
Mr. Mathew John, President of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) Organics International shared that, “PGS has become a movement around the world, wherein over 80 countries are alerady implemeting. The system has gone beyond organic agriculture, and its success lies in its ability to adapt in different context.”
PGS started in the Philippines, through the effort of MASIPAG or Magsasaka at Siyentipiko Para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura, a non-profit organization promoting sustainable agriculture. MASIPAG’s creation of the MASIPAG Farmers Guarantee System (MFGS) paved the way for the formal inclusion of PGS in the country. In 2021, the Philippines enacted Republic Act No. 11511, which amended the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 and officially recognized PGS as an alternative certification scheme to encourage organic farming practices and safeguard the integrity of organic products. PGS is a community-based certification model that offers a more accessible, affordable, and inclusive organic certification for small-scale farmers. Since it was introduced in 2004 during the International Workshop on Alternative Certification, PGS has grown into a global movement for alternative certification, focused on trust, collaboration, and transparency.
Aside from the interactive talks, various organic produce and products from PGS farmer-members were featured during the summit highlighting the achievements of the system. ### (Yovina-Claire Pauig, ATI)
