THE Participatory Guarantee System or PGS Batanes Core Group has received official organic certification from the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFE), a development that can expand market access for Ivatan farmers while protecting the ecosystem of Batanes.
The certification was achieved with support from the provincial government of Batanes, municipal local government units, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Regional Training Center 2, and DA Regional Field Office 2.
With the core group now certified, PGS Batanes is moving toward its next goal: accreditation as an Organic Certifying Body or OCB.
Dr. Ferdinand Cortez of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 2 Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section explained the difference between the two milestones under Republic Act 11511, or the amended Organic Agriculture Act. The BAFE and ATI are agencies under the DA.
“Certification proves that the farmers are growing authentic organic produce,” he said. “Accreditation grants the group the legal authority to inspect and issue organic certificates to other local producers in Batanes,” Cortez said.
The shift to PGS provides smallholder farmers an alternative to expensive third-party certification. Under the system, farmers in the same community inspect and validate one another’s farms.
“Peer review mechanisms allow local farmers to evaluate each other’s practices,” Cortez said. “This fosters accountability, continuous learning, and shared pride in organic stewardship.”
Batanes, the country’s northernmost province, relies heavily on farming and fishing. Stakeholders said a local certification system could help reduce costs and bureaucratic barriers for farmers seeking to sell organic produce.
DA and ATI officials who supported the process noted that PGS is designed to be affordable and community-driven, making it suitable for areas with limited resources and small farm sizes.
As PGS Batanes prepares documents and requirements for OCB accreditation, the group said the focus remains on building capacity among farmers to conduct inspections and maintain records in line with national standards.
Once accredited, PGS Batanes would be authorized to certify other producers within the province. Proponents said this could lead to more Ivatan households having access to chemical-free food, while giving farmers potential for higher incomes.
“With accreditation, the entire province stands on the brink of an agricultural transformation ensuring safer produce for Ivatan households, higher incomes for local farmers, and a stronger, climate-resilient future for Batanes,” Cortez said.