Bago city: Bago City in Negros Occidental is supporting the participatory guarantee system (PGS) certification of more organic practitioners under the Negros Island Organic Producers Association (NIOPA) ahead of the province's hosting of the Organic World Congress next year.

According to Philippines News Agency, the new set of officers of NIOPA, the first PGS organic certifying body (OCB) in Negros Occidental based in the city, took their oath before Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao at the City Mayor's Office Thursday afternoon. NIOPA president Arsenio de la Torre informed the mayor that 50 NIOPA farmer-members have availed of the 50 percent PGS subsidy from the city government, of whom 12 have already obtained participatory organic certificate.

De la Torre stated that more organic practitioners in the city are being encouraged to pursue certification. This initiative aims to enhance the market positioning of their products, particularly regarding pricing. The remaining 38 farmers' applications are scheduled for inspection and review, with NIOPA aiming to complete their certification before the 22nd Organic World Congress hosted by Negros Occidental in November 2027.

NIOPA has obtained accreditation from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards as an OCB. Last year, the association received PHP375,000 in subsidy from the city government for the PGS certification program, covering various crops such as vegetables and fruit trees. This amount covers 50 percent of the certification fee for 50 organic farmers, with each farmer receiving PHP7,500 in assistance.

The DA-National Organic Agriculture Program explains that the PGS is the mechanism by which small farmers, fisherfolk, and their associations or cooperatives are certified as engaged in organic agriculture and as producers of organic agriculture products. Participatory organic certification from a government agency or OCB is promoted and accepted, and products certified through the PGS are traded only in the domestic market unless covered by an international certification or a mutual recognition agreement.