EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 
1 3 1 8
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20 FEB-3 P5 54
XECEiVEO Wt:
(In  su b stitu tio n  o f Senate Bill Nos. 34, 146, 648 and 773)
Prepared by the Com m ittee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform w ith 
Senators Francis "K iko" Pangilinan, Cynthia A. Villar, Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., 
and Grace L. Poe as authors thereof
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10068 OR THE ORGANIC
AGRICULTURE ACT OF 2010
Be it enacted b y the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 10068, otherwise known as
2 
"An Act Providing for the Development and Promotion o f Organic Agriculture in
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the Philippines and for Other Purposes," is hereby amended, to read as follows:
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"SEC. 2. Declaration o f Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy o f
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the State to prom ote, propagate, develop further and im plem ent the
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practice o f organic agriculture in the Philippines that will cum ulatively
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condition and enrich the fertility of the soil, increase farm  productivity
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AND FARMERS' INCOMES, reduce pollution and destruction o f the
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environm ent, prevent the depletion of natural resources, further protect
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the health o f farm ers, consumers, and the general public, [aftd] save on
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im ported farm  inputs AND PROMOTE FOOD SELF- SUFFICIENCY.
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Towards this end, a comprehensive program for the prom otion of


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com m unity-based organic agriculture systems which include, among 
others, farm er-produced [ purely organic--fert-Hizcrs such as com post, 
pesticides] ORGANIC SOIL AMENDMENTS, BIO-CONTROL AGENTS and 
other farm  
inputs, 
together w ith 
a 
nationwide educational 
and 
prom otional campaign for their use and processing[,] SHALL BE 
ESTABLISHED.
LIKEWISE, A NATIONWIDE EDUCATIONAL AND AWARENESS 
CAMPAIGN AMONG CONSUMERS ON THE BENEFITS OF CONSUMING 
ORGANIC PRODUCTS TO BOOST LOCAL PRODUCTION OF ORGANIC 
FOOD AND NON-FOOD PRODUCTS, as well as adoption o f organic 
agricultural system as a viable alternative shall be undertaken.
XXX'
SEC. 2. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 10068 is hereby amended, to  read 
as follows:
"SEC. 3. Definition o f Term s- For purposes o f this Act, the 
follow ing term s shall be defined as follows:
XXX
(h) 
Certification is the procedure by which [official certification bodies] 
A GOVERNMENT AGENCY OR AN ORGANIC CERTIFYING BODY (OCB) 
[or o fficially 
recognized c-ertificat ion 
bodies] 
provides w ritten 
or 
equivalent assurance that [foods or food control systems] CORE 
PARTICIPATORY GUARANTEE SYSTEM (PGS) GROUPS conform  to 
[ requirem ents] ORGANIC AGRICULTURE STANDARDS AS PROVIDED IN 
THIS ACT.


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(i) 
Accreditation is the procedure by which a governm ent agency 
having 
jurisdiction 
form aily 
recognizes 
the 
competence 
of 
an 
[inspection and/or certification] ORGANIC CERTIFYING body to provide 
inspection and certification services.
(0 ) 
INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION REFERS TO THE PROCESS OF 
ESTABLISHING WHETHER A FARM IS COMPLIANT WITH ORGANIC 
AGRICULTURE STANDARDS.
(P) ORGANIC BIO-CONTROL AGENTS REFER TO ORGANISMS AND 
THEIR 
ASSOCIATED 
METABOLITES 
AS 
WELL 
AS 
NATURALLY 
OCCURRING SUBSTANCES THAT CONTROL PESTS AND DISEASES. 
THESE ARE CLASSIFIED AS BOTANICALS, MACROBIALS, MICROBIALS, 
AND SEMIOCHEMICALS.
(Q) ORGANIC CERTIFYING BODY (OCB) REFERS TO A LEGAL ENTITY 
ACCREDITED BY A GOVERNMENT AGENCY TO PERFORM INSPECTION 
AND CERTIFICATION ACTIVITIES.
A CORE PGS GROUP, SEEKING TO BECOME AN ORGANIC 
CERTIFYING 
BODY, 
SHALL 
FIRST 
BE 
CERTIFIED 
BY 
BAFS 
AS 
COMPLIANT 
WITH 
ORGANIC 
AGRICULTURE 
STANDARDS 
AND 
W ITHOUT ANY INFRACTION FOR THE PAST THREE (3) YEARS. THIS 
SHALL ALSO SERVE AS BASIS FOR ITS ACCREDITATION AS AN 
ORGANIC CERTIFYING BODY.
A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS 
(LGUS), ACTUALLY ENGAGED IN AND CERTIFIED TO BE COMPLIANT 
W ITH ORGANIC AGRICULTURE FOR THE PAST (3) THREE YEARS, MAY 
APPLY W ITH THE BAFS TO BECOME AN ORGANIC CERTIFYING BODY.
ANY PRIVATE GROUP OR ORGANIZATION ACTUALLY ENGAGED 
IN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE, FOR THE PAST FIVE (5) YEARS, AS A 
DIRECT ORGANIC FARM PRODUCER, AS A PROMOTER/ADVOCATE OF 
THE WAYS, METHODS AND PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE,


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OR AS A MARKETER OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PRODUCE MAY ALSO 
APPLY TO BECOME AN ORGANIC CERTIFYING BODY.
(R) ORGANIC SOIL AMENDMENTS REFER TO ALL THE PRODUCTS 
W ITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARD, I.E. 
ORGANIC FERTILIZERS, COMPOST/SOIL CONDITIONER, MICROBIAL 
INOCULANTS, AND ORGANIC PLANT SUPPLEMENTS THAT ARE ADDED 
TO THE SOIL TO IMPROVE ITS PHYSICAL PROPERTIES.
(S) 
PARTICIPATORY GUARANTEE SYSTEM (PGS) REFERS TO 
A 
LOCALLY-FOCUSED 
QUALITY 
ASSURANCE 
SYSTEM 
WHICH 
IS 
DEVELOPED AND PRACTICED BY PEOPLE ACTUALLY ENGAGED IN 
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE. IT  IS BUILT ON A FOUNDATION OF TRUST, 
SOCIAL NETWORK AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE. IT IS USED TO 
CERTIFY 
PRODUCERS AND 
FARMERS AS ACTUAL AND 
ACTIVE 
PRACTITIONERS OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE.
(T) PGS GROUP REFERS TO A LEGAL ASSOCIATION OR COOPERATIVE 
OF REGISTERED FARMER MEMBERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS IN A 
PARTICIPATORY GUARANTEE SYSTEM.
(U) CORE PGS GROUP REFERS TO THE BASIC GROUPING UNIT IN THE 
PGS. IT  IS FURTHER DEFINED IN SEC. 8, PAR. D1 OF THIS ACT.
(V) 
PARTICIPATORY 
ORGANIC 
CERTIFICATE 
REFERS 
TO 
A 
DOCUMENTARY PROOF THAT A CORE PGS GROUP IS COMPLIANT W ITH 
THE 
REQUIREMENTS, 
STANDARDS 
AND 
NORMS 
OF 
ORGANIC 
FARMING/AGRICULTURE. IT  SHALL BE ISSUED BY A GOVERNMENT 
AGENCY OR BY AN AUTHORIZED ORGANIC CERTIFYING BODY, AFTER 
THE CONDUCT OF AN INVESTIGATION AND CERTIFICATION ACTIVITY 
ON THE APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION BY THE CORE PGS GROUP. 
IT  SHALL CONTAIN A PERIOD FOR ITS VALIDITY, AS SET BY THE BAFS.


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2
(W ) SMALL FARMER/FISHERFOLK REFER TO THOSE UTILIZING NOT 
MORE THAN FIVE (5) HECTARES OF LAND AS AGRICULTURAL CROP 
(INCLUDING RICE AND CORN) AND AQUACULTURE PRODUCERS AND 
AS POULTRY/LIVESTOCK 
RAISERS W ITH 
NOT MORE THAN THE 
FOLLOWING:
POULTRY -  1,000 POULTRY LAYERS OR 5,000 BROILERS
SWINE -  10 SOW LEVEL OR 20 FATTENERS
NATIVE PIGS -  30 HEADS
CATTLE -  10 FATTENERS OR 5 BREEDERS
DAIRY -  10 MILKING COWS
GOAT -  50 HEADS
(X) 
ORGANIC VALUE CHAIN REFERS TO AGRICULTURE-RELATED 
ACTIVITIES THAT PUT FARMERS, PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS AND 
CONSUMERS W ITHIN A SYSTEM THAT PRODUCES, 
PROCESSES, 
TRANSPORTS, MARKETS AND DISTRIBUTES ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL 
PRODUCTS."
SEC. 3. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 10068 is hereby amended, to read 
as follows:
"SEC. 4. Coverage. - The provisions o f this Act shall apply to the 
developm ent and prom otion o f organic agriculture and shall include, but 
not lim ited to, the following:
XXX
(c) Promotion and encouragem ent o f the establishm ent of facilities, 
equipm ent and processing plants that would accelerate the production 
and commercialization of organic fertilizers, [ pest icides, herbicides] BIO­
CONTROL 
AGENTS, 
ORGANIC 
SOIL 
AMENDMENTS 
and 
other 
appropriate farm  inputs; and


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(d) Im plem entation o f organic agricultural programs, projects and 
activities, including the provision and delivery of support services w ith 
focus on the farmers, PRIORITIZING SMALL FARMERS/FISHERFOLK 
AND THEIR ORGANIZATIONS and other stakeholders."
SEC. 4. Section 7 is hereby amended, to read as follows:
"SEC. 7. Composition o f the NOAB. - The NOAB shall consist of 
THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS:
XXX
authorized perm anent representative;]
[(e )] (d) The Secretary o f Education, or his duly authorized perm anent 
representative;
[(f)] (e) The Secretary o f Agrarian Reform, or his duly authorized 
perm anent representative;
[(§ )] (0  The Secretary o f Trade and Industry, or his duly authorized 
perm anent representative;
[(l:^)] (g) The Secretary of Health, or his duly authorized perm anent 
representative;
[(^ ] (h) 
Three (3) representatives from  the small farm ers; [and]
[(j)] (0 
A 
representative 
each 
from  
the 
NGOs 
involved 
in 
sustainable ORGANIC agriculture for at least three (3) years; THE 
agricultural colleges and universities; and THE private sector [e r 
agribusincGG firm s] IN THE ORGANIC VALUE CHAIN; [as membefSr]
(j) 
ONE (1) REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE NATIONAL PGS, TO BE 
CHOSEN FROM AMONG AND BY THEMSELVES; AND
(k) ONE (1) REPRESENTATIVE FROM A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF


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1
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGUS) ACTUALLY ENGAGED IN 
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE.
XXX
The 
representatives of small 
farm ers and 
NGOs, 
and 
o f 
agricultural colleges and universities, shall be chosen by the Secretaries 
o f Agriculture and Science and Technology, respectively, from  among 
nominees subm itted to the agency concerned by their respective 
national organizations. These representatives must REPRESENT THEIR 
RESPECTIVE ORGANIZATIONS AT LEAST FROM THE PROVINCIAL 
LEVEL, ACTUALLY AND ACTIVELY PRACTICING, PROMOTING ORGANIC 
AND OTHER SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PRACTICES, be conversant in 
organic agriculture and com m itted to the policies and programs provided 
under this Act. THE THREE SEATS GIVEN TO SMALL FARMERS SHALL 
BE CHOSEN FROM THE CROPS AND LIVESTOCK SECTORS, WHICH W ILL 
HAVE TWO (2) SEATS AND ONE (1) SEAT RESPECTIVELY.
XXX"
SEC. 5. Section 8 is hereby amended, to read as follows:
"SEC. 8. Organization o f the NOAB. -
XXX
The Chairperson shall call the members o f the NOAB, or a m ajority 
thereof if not all have been designated, to a meeting to organize 
themselves and prescribe its rules and procedures for the attainm ent of 
the objectives o f this Act. A m ajority o f all the members of the NOAB 
shall constitute a quorum . THE MEMBERS OF THE NOAB SHALL MEET 
AT LEAST ONCE EVERY QUARTER AFTER ITS CONSTITUTION.


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1
XXX"
SEC. 6. Section 10 o f Republic Act No. 10068 is hereby repealed and a 
new Section 10 is hereby inserted, to read as follows:
"SEC. 
10. 
BUREAU 
OF 
AGRICULTURE 
AND 
FISHERIES 
STANDARDS (BAFS). 
-  THE 
BAFS 
OF 
THE 
DEPARTMENT 
OF 
AGRICULTURE 
(DA) 
SHALL 
STRENGTHEN 
AND 
EMPOWER 
THE 
ESTABLISHED FUNCTIONAL DIVISION FOR ORGANIC AGRICULTURE 
TO PERFORM AS THE TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARIAT 
OF THE NATIONAL ORGANIC AGRICULTURE BOARD (NOAB). THE 
BAFS, IN 
ADDITION 
TO 
ITS 
EXISTING 
FUNCTIONS 
AND 
RESPONSIBILITIES, SHALL PERFORM THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS, 
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ACT:
1. UPDATE THE NOAB ON THE STATUS OF THE PROGRAMS, PROJECTS 
AND ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND 
PROMOTION OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE;
2. FORMULATE AND UPDATE STANDARDS RELEVANT TO ORGANIC 
AGRICULTURE;
3. ISSUE CERTIFICATION TO PGS CORE GROUPS;
4. ISSUE ACCREDITATION TO ORGANIC CERTIFYING BODIES (OCBS);
5. ISSUE REGISTRATION OF ORGANIC INPUTS SUCH AS ORGANIC SOIL 
AMENDMENTS AND ORGANIC BIO-CONTROL AGENTS;
6. RULE ON THE APPEAL OF FARM/FARMOWNER/CORE PGS GROUPS 
ON 
DECISIONS MADE BY MUNICIPAL/CITY PGS GROUPS ON 
INVESTIGATION AND CERTIFICATION ISSUES; AND
7. PERFORM 
SUCH 
OTHER 
FUNCTIONS, 
DUTIES 
AND 
RESPONSIBILITIES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THIS 
ACT."
8


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SEC. 7. Section 11 o f Republic Act No. 10068 is hereby repealed and a 
new Section 11 is hereby inserted, to read as follows:
"SEC 
11. 
NATIONAL ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PROGRAM - 
NATIONAL PROGRAM COORDINATING OFFICE (NOAP-NPCO) OF THE 
DA. 
- TO MANAGE THE EFFECTIVE 
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 
NATIONAL ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PROGRAM, THE DA OFFICE OF THE 
SECRETARY SHALL BE STRENGTHENED AND EMPOWERED IN TERMS 
OF 
ESTABLISHING A 
FUNCTIONAL OFFICE TO SERVE AS THE 
NATIONAL PROGRAM COORDINATING OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL 
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PROGRAM."
SEC. 8. A new provision is hereby inserted after Section 11 of Republic 
Act No. 10068, to read as follows:
"SEC. 12. PARTICIPATORY GUARANTEE SYSTEMS (PGS).-
A. BASIC PRINCIPLES. THE PGS SHALL BE THE MECHANISM BY WHICH 
SMALL 
FARMERS/FISHERFOLK, 
THEIR
FARMS/ASSOCIATIONS/COOPERATIVES 
AND THEIR 
PRODUCTS 
SHALL BE CERTIFIED AS ENGAGED IN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE AND 
AS PRODUCERS OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS. THE 
PARTICIPATORY 
ORGANIC 
CERTIFICATION 
FROM 
ORGANIC 
CERTIFYING BODIES, ORGANIZED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS 
ACT, SHALL BE PROMOTED AND ACCEPTED. THE PRODUCTS 
CERTIFIED BY THESE GROUPS SHALL BE TRADED ONLY IN THE 
DOMESTIC MARKET.
AN ASSOCIATION OR GROUP UNDER THE PGS SHALL ADHERE 
TO THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARDS (PNS) FOR ORGANIC 
AGRICULTURE.


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FURTHER, ASSOCIATIONS OR GROUPS UNDER THE PGS SHALL 
ADOPT THE FOLLOWING FEATURES AND CHARACTERISTICS:
i. 
EXISTENCE OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE NORMS CONCEIVED 
BY THE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE STAKEHOLDERS; NORMS 
THAT ARE APPROPRIATE TO SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE;
ii. 
GRASSROOTS 
ORGANIZATION: 
THE 
PARTICIPATORY
CERTIFICATION SHOULD BE PERCEIVED AS A RESULT OF A 
SOCIAL DYNAMIC, BASED ON THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION 
OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS;
iii. 
EXISTENCE OF PRINCIPLES AND VALUES THAT ENHANCE 
THE LIVELIHOODS AND WELL-BEING OF FARMING FAMILIES 
AND PROMOTE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE;
iv. 
DOCUMENTED MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES;
V. 
PROVISION 
OF 
MECHANISMS 
TO 
VERIFY 
FARMER'S
COMPLIANCE TO ESTABLISHED NORMS;
Vi. 
PROVISION OF MECHANISMS FOR SUPPORTING FARMERS 
TO PRODUCE ORGANIC PRODUCTS AND BE CERTIFIED AS 
ORGANIC 
FARMERS, 
WHICH 
SHALL 
INCLUDE 
FIELD 
ADVISORS, 
NEWSLETTERS, 
FARM 
VISITS, 
WEB 
SITES, 
AMONG OTHERS;
vii. 
EXISTENCE OF A BOTTOM-LINE DOCUMENT, SUCH AS A 
FARMER'S 
PLEDGE, 
THAT 
SHALL 
STATE 
HIS/HER 
AGREEMENT TO THE ESTABLISHED NORMS;
viii. 
INTRODUCTION OR USE OF SEALS OR LABELS PROVIDING 
EVIDENCE OF ORGANIC STATUS; AND
ix. 
EXISTENCE OF A CLEAR AND PREVIOUSLY DEFINED SET OF 
RECOMMENDATIONS AND MEASURES AGAINST FARMERS 
WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH STANDARDS.
B. LEGAL 
PERSONALITY. 
THE 
CORE 
PGS 
GROUP 
SHALL 
BE
REGISTERED WITH THE MUNICIPALITY/CITY UNDER WHICH IT
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EXISTS. 
IT  SHALL SECURE A MAYOR'S PERMIT FROM SAID 
MUNICIPALITY/CrTY, POSSESSION OF WHICH SHALL SUFFICE AS 
PROOF 
OF 
REGISTRATION 
AND 
THE 
GRANT 
OF 
LEGAL 
PERSONALITY FOR WHATEVER TRANSACTION IT MAY ENTER INTO 
IN THE PGS.
A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS 
(LGUS) 
ACTUALLY 
ENGAGED 
IN 
ORGANIC 
AGRICULTURE 
REGISTERED AND/OR ACCREDITED BY A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT 
AGENCY 
EMPOWERED 
TO 
REGISTER 
AND 
ACCREDIT 
AN 
ORGANIZATION SHALL ALSO ACQUIRE LEGAL PERONALITY FOR 
PURPOSES OF RECOGNITION BY BAFS.
ANY OTHER ORGANIC CERTIFYING BODY SHALL SECURE A 
MAYOR'S 
PERMIT FROM THE 
M UNICIPALirY/CITY WHERE 
IT  
INTENDS TO OPERATE AND POSSESSION OF WHICH SHALL SUFFICE 
TO 
GRANT THEM 
LEGAL 
PERSONALITY 
FOR 
PURPOSES 
OF 
RECOGNITION BY BAFS.
. CERTIFICATION. THE BAFS SHALL PROVIDE THE GUIDELINES FOR 
THE CERTIFICATION OF FARMS, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS 
OF 
THIS 
ACT. 
A 
FARM/FARMOWNER 
WANTING 
FOR 
CERTIFICATION AS AN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PRACTITIONER 
SHALL APPLY FOR SAID CERTIFICATION WITH A CORE PGS GROUP 
THE FARM/FARMOWNER CHOOSES TO BE A MEMBER OF, OR W ITH 
AN ACCREDITED ORGANIC CERTIFYING BODY IN THE SAME 
M UNICIPALirY/CITY. THE DECISION OF THE CORE PGS GROUP OR 
OF THE ORGANIC CERTIFYING BODY ON SAID APPLICATION FOR 
CERTIFICATION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO APPEAL: PROVIDED, THAT 
SUCH CERTIFICATION SHALL BE ISSUED IN THE NAME OF THE 
CORE PGS GROUP OF WHICH THE FARM/FARMOWNER IS A MEMBER 
AND WITHDRAWAL OF MEMBERSHIP IN SAID CORE PGS GROUP 
SHALL 
MEAN 
FORFEITURE 
OF 
THE 
PRIVILEGE 
FOR 
THE 
FARM/FARMOWNER TO USE THE CORE PGS GROUP CERTIFICATE.
11


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D. ACCREDITATION. THE BAFS SHALL PROVIDE THE GUIDELINES FOR 
ACCREDITATION. A REGISTERED CORE PGS GROUP SHALL APPLY 
FOR ACCREDITATION WITH THE BAFS. A CORE PGS GROUP SHALL 
BE ACCORDED ACCREDITATION BY THE BAFS ONLY IF IT HAS AT 
LEAST FIVE (5) MEMBERS, COMING FROM DIFFERENT FARMS IN 
THE 
MUNICIPALITY/CrTY 
ACTUALLY 
PRACTICING 
ORGANIC 
AGRICULTURE.
THE BAFS SHALL ISSUE ITS DECISION ON THE APPLICATION 
FOR ACCREDITATION BY A CORE PGS GROUP OR ANY QUALIFIED 
ENTITY APPLYING FOR RECOGNITION W ITHIN FIFTEEN WORKING 
(15) 
DAYS 
FROM 
THE 
SUBMISSION 
OF 
THE 
COMPLETE 
REQUIREMENTS 
FOR APPLICATION 
FOR 
RECOGNITION, 
AND 
FAILURE TO RENDER DECISION W ITHIN SUCH PERIOD SHALL BE 
UNDERSTOOD AS AN APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION 
FOR 
RECOGNITION OF THE PGS/OCB. THE BAFS SHALL NOT CHARGE 
ANY RECOGNITION OR APPLICATION FEES.
D. ORGANIZATIONAL LEVELS.
1. THE CORE PGS GROUP. EVERY PGS GROUP SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST 
FIVE (5) MEMBERS, COMPOSED OF FARMERS FROM A COMBINATION 
OF BOTH THE CROPS AND LIVESTOCK SECTORS. IT  MAY ADD TO ITS 
MEMBERSHIP FARMERS FROM OTHER SECTORS IN AGRICULTURE, 
NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS, 
PEOPLE'S 
ORGANIZATIONS, 
BUYERS OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS, SUPPLIERS OF 
ORGANIC INPUTS, AMONG OTHERS, WHO ALL LIVE IN THE SAME 
MUNICIPALITY OR CITY AND REGULARLY INTERACT W ITH EACH 
OTHER.
EACH CORE PGS GROUP WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING DUTIES
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AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
i. 
DEVELOP 
AN 
UNDERSTANDING 
OF 
THE 
ORGANIC 
STANDARDS;
ii. 
MAKE SURE FARM PRACTICES ARE COMPLIANT;
jjj. 
MAKE A PLEDGE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND AND ADHERE 
TO THE ORGANIC STANDARDS;
iv. 
CONDUCT INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION ACTIVITIES 
OF MEMBER FARMS IN THE MUNICIPALITY/CITY. AT 
LEAST A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE PGS CORE 
GROUP WHO JOINED IN THE ACTUAL INSPECHON AND 
CERTIFICATION 
ACTIVITY 
SHOULD 
SIGN 
ON 
THE 
TRUTHFULNESS OF THE FINDINGS OF THE INSPECTION 
AND CERTIFICATION ACTIVITY;
V. 
RECOMMEND WHICH FARMS W ILL BE CERTIFIED;
Vi. 
INITIATE KEY FIELD TRAININGS FOR FARMER-MEMBERS 
AND RESIDENTS IN THEIR LOCALITY TO PROMOTE 
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE;
ATTEND MUNICIPAL/PROVINCIAL PGS MEETINGS AND 
SHARE INFORMATION;
TAKE ACTIONS ON DEFAULTS/NON-COMPLIANCE AS PER 
SANCTION GUIDELINES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE BAFPS, 
ORGANIC CERTIFYING BODIES AND MUNICIPAL/CITY 
PGS GROUPS; AND
ix. 
ASSIST DEFAULTING AND NON-COMPLIANT MEMBERS TO
REGAIN CERTIFICATION STATUS.
VII.
VIII.
2. MUNICIPAL/CITY PGS GROUP. THE MUNICIPAL/CITY PGS GROUP 
SHALL 
BE 
COMPOSED 
OF 
THE 
FOLLOWING: 
1) 
ONE 
(1)
REPRESENTATIVE 
FOR 
EACH 
CORE 
PGS 
GROUP 
IN 
THE 
MUNICIPALITY/CITY, AND 2) ONE (1) REPRESENTATIVE FROM A 
REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATE UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE (SUC) OR
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LOCAL 
PRIVATE 
AGRICULTURAL 
EDUCATIONAL 
INSTITUTION; 
PROVIDED THAT, THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST TWO (2) CORE PGS 
GROUPS IN THE MUNICIPALITY/CITY BEFORE A MUNICIPAL/CITY PGS 
GROUP SHALL BE ESTABLISHED.
THE 
MUNICIPAL/CITY 
PGS 
GROUP 
SHALL CONDUCT 
ITS 
BUSINESS AND AFFAIRS BASED ON MAJORITY DECISION OF MEMBERS 
PRESENT, AFTER HAVING SECURED A QUORUM.
THE 
MUNICIPAL/CITY 
PGS 
GROUP 
SHALL 
HAVE 
THE 
FOLLOWING POWERS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
i. 
TOGETHER WITH THE BAFS, DEVELOP OR UPDATE AND 
IMPLEMENT THE PARTICIPATORY GUARANTEE SYSTEM, 
AS PROVIDED IN THIS ACT;
ii. 
ENSURE THAT COMPLIANT FARMER MEMBERS CONTINUE 
TO 
COMPLY 
WITH 
ALL 
REQUIREMENTS 
OF 
THE 
APPLICABLE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STANDARDS (PNS) 
ON 
ORGANIC 
AGRICULTURE 
AND 
RELEVANT 
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS;
iii. 
HEAR AND DECIDE ON APPEALS OF THE 
FARMER 
MEMBERS ON THE FINDINGS OF THE INVESTIGATION 
AND CERTIFICATION OF ORGANIC CERTIFYING BODIES. 
AN ADVERSE DECISION OF THE MUNICIPAL/CITY PGS 
GROUP MAY BE BROUGHT TO THE BAFS ON APPEAL. THE 
BAFS HAS THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM FILING TO RULE ON 
THE APPEAL, AND FAILURE TO RULE SHALL MEAN 
REVERSAL OF THE APPEALED DECISION.
THE INACTION OR INDECISION OF THE MUNICIPAL/CITY 
PGS GROUP ON AN APPEAL FROM THE DECISION OF THE 
ORGANIC CERTIFYING BODY, AFTER FIFTEEN (15) DAYS 
FROM 
THE 
FILING 
OF 
THE 
APPEAL, 
SHALL 
BE
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CONSIDERED THE 
UPHOLDING 
OF THE 
APPEALED 
DECISION. THE FARMER COMPLAINANT MAY THEN HAVE 
THE OPTION TO FILE AN APPEAL WITH THE BAFS, AND 
THE LATTER HAS THE SAME PERIOD AND PROCEDURE 
MENTIONED IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPH TO ACT 
UPON THE APPEAL;
iv. 
MAINTAIN 
A 
REGISTRY 
OF 
CORE 
PGS 
GROUPS 
OPERATING W ITHIN ITS AREA OF JURISDICTION, WHICH 
SHALL BE FORWARDED TO THE BAFS ON YEAR-END FOR 
THE LATTER'S NATIONAL DATA BASE;
V. 
TOGETHER WITH THE ORGANIC CERTIFYING 
BODY 
INVOLVED IN THE INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION 
ACTIVITY, AND IN COORDINATION W ITH THE BAFS, 
ISSUE PARTICIPATORY ORGANIC CERTIFICATE AND THE 
"PGS 
GUARANTEED 
ORGANIC" 
LABEL/MARK 
TO 
COMPLIANT SMALL FARMER/FISHERFOLK AND/OR THEIR 
FARM/ASSOCIATION/COOPERATIVE; AND
Vi. 
SUBMIT REGULARLY TO THE BAFS A LIST OF CERTIFIED 
SMALL 
FARMER/FISHERFOLK 
AND/OR 
THEIR 
FARM/ASSOCIATION/COOPERATIVES.
IN 
THE 
MEANTIME 
THAT 
A 
CORE 
PGS 
GROUP 
OR 
A 
MUNICIPAL/CITY PGS, WHICHEVER IS THE CASE, HAS YET TO BE 
ESTABLISHED, THE BAFS, IN COORDINATION W ITH THE LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT UNIT CONCERNED, SHALL ASSUME THE POWERS, 
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THESE GROUPS.
PROVINCIAL AND NATIONAL PGS GROUP. TT SHALL BE THE OPTION 
OF THE PGS GROUPS TO FORM THEIR AGGRUPATION AT THE 
PROVINCIAL AND NATIONAL LEVELS. THEY SHALL RECEIVE THE 
FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE 
OF THE DEPARTMENTS IN THE NOAB AND THE DA-BAFS IN THIS
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REGARD.
THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT IS ALSO HEREBY ENJOINED TO 
ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THE FORMATION AND ACTIVITIES OF PGS 
GROUPS, PURSUANT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG) MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2019-70.
D. PROMOTION. THE NOAB SHALL ACTIVELY PROMOTE AND SEARCH 
FOR ASSOCIATIONS OR GROUPS THAT HAVE BEEN PRACTICING 
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE FOR RECOGNITION AS PGS COMPLIANT IN 
ACCORDANCE W ITH THIS ACT. THE NOAP SHALL ENSURE THAT EACH 
PROVINCE IN THE COUNTRY HAS A PGS. EVERY PGS SHALL CONDUCT 
TRAININGS AND PROMOTE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE.
E. 
TRAINING AND INSPECTION 
THE 
AGRICULTURE 
TRAINING 
INSTITUTE (ATI) SHALL CONDUCT TRAININGS FOR PGS GROUPS AND 
THE BAFS SHALL CONDUCT RANDOM INSPECTIONS TO ENSURE THAT 
PGS GROUPS ARE ALL COMPLIANT WITH THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL 
STANDARDS ON ORGANIC AGRICULTURE. 
THE BAFS SHALL KEEP A 
RECORD OF COMPLIANT PGS GROUPS IN THE COUNTRY AND SHALL 
PUBLISH A LIST OF SUCH COMPLIANCE AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR.
F. 
INCENTIVES. 
ANY 
SMALL 
FARMER/FISHERFOLK 
OR 
THEIR 
FARMS/ASSOCIATIONS/COOPERATIVES 
ENGAGED 
IN 
ORGANIC 
AGRICULTURE OR ANY ORGANIC INPUT PRODUCER, CERTIFIED BY A 
RECOGNIZED PGS GROUP OR ORGANIC CERTIFYING BODY TO BE 
COMPLIANT FOR A PERIOD OF 5 YEARS, WITHOUT ANY OFFENSE OR 
INFRACTION, SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A FULL GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY 
OF 
THE 
COST 
FOR 
AN 
INTERNATIONAL 
CERTIFICATION 
ACCREDITATION. 
FURTHER, SO LONG AS THE SAME 
ENTITIES 
MAINTAIN THEIR STATUS OF COMPLIANCE, THEY SHALL BE INVITED 
AND GIVEN, FOR FREE, PRIME LOCATION IN ANY GOVERNMENT 
AGENCY-INITIATED 
OR 
SPONSORED 
TRADE 
AND 
BUSINESS
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MARKETING GATHERING OF FILIPINO PRODUCTS, FOR THE PURPOSE 
OF DISPLAYING AND SELLING THEIR OWN ORGANIC PRODUCTS.
SEC. 9. Sections 12 and 13 of Republic Act No. 10068 are hereby 
renumbered accordingly.
SEC. 10. Section 14 o f Republic Act No. 10068 is hereby amended and 
renumbered, to read as follows:
"SEC. 15. Local Executive [Com m ittees]  CONCERNS. - 
Every 
provincial governor shall, insofar as practicable XXX
XXX
XXX
THE MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES ARE HEREBY ENJOINED TO 
ENACT ORDINANCES THAT SHALL PROTECT ORGANIC FARMING 
ZONES AND ORGANIC FARMING PRACTICES.
XXX
SEC. 11. Section 16 of Republic Act No. 10068 is hereby repealed and 
a new section is inserted, to read as follows:
"SEC. 17. REGISTRA TION OF ORGANIC PRODUCE AND INPUTS 
AND ORGANIC PROCESSED FOOD.- THE BAFS OF THE DA SHALL BE 
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ORGANIC INPUTS SUCH AS 
ORGANIC SOIL AMENDMENTS AND ORGANIC BIO-CONTROL AGENTS. 
THE BUREAU OF PU\NT INDUSTRY (BPI) OF THE DA SHALL BE 
RESPONSIBLE 
FOR 
THE 
REGISTRATION 
OF 
ORGANIC 
SEEDS, 
PLANTING MATERIALS, AND CROPS.
FURTHER, THE BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY (BAI) OF THE DA 
SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ORGANIC BEES,
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LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY AND ITS FEEDS. THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES 
AND AQUATIC RESOURCES (BEAR) OF THE DA SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE 
FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ORGANIC FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE 
RESOURCES AND ORGANIC AQUACULTURE FEEDS.
THE BAFS, BPI, BAI, AND BFAR OF THE DA SHALL COME UP 
W ITH A SINGLE UNIFIED SET OF RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE 
REGISTRATION OF ORGANIC PRODUCE AND INPUTS.
THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) OF THE DOH 
SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PRODUCT REGISTRATION OF 
ORGANIC PROCESSED FOOD. IT  SHALL FORMULATE ITS RULES AND 
REGULATIONS FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ORGANIC PRE-PACKAGED 
AND PROCESSED FOOD."
SEC. 12. Section 17 o f Republic Act No. 10068 is hereby amended and 
renumbered, to read as follows:
"SEC. [47] 18. Labeling o f Organic Produce. - The label o f organic 
produce shall contain the name, logo or seal o f the organic certifying 
body and the accreditation number issued by the BAFPS. [Only th ird 
party certification is allowed to be labeled as organically produced ]  THE 
ORGANIC LABEL/MARK SHALL ALSO INCLUDE THE TRADE NAME, AS 
DEFINED BY PERTINENT DOMESTIC PROPERTY RIGHTS LAWS, AND 
THE ADDRESS OF ORIGIN OF THE PRODUCE.
PRODUCTS WHICH ARE CERTIFIED AND GUARANTEED BY 
THIRD-PARTY ORGANIC PRODUCHON SYSTEMS, INCLUDING THOSE 
W ITH CERTIFICATION FROM THE PGS, SHALL BE ALLOWED TO BE 
LABELLED AND SOLD AS ORGANIC."
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SEC. 13. Section 18 o f Republic Act No. 10068 is hereby renumbered 
accordingly.
SEC. 14. Section 19 of Republic Act No. 10068 is hereby repealed and 
a new section is inserted, to read as follows:
"SEC. 20. MARKET DEVELOPMENT AND TRADE PROMOTION.-
THE NOAP OF THE DA, IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER RELEVANT 
AGENCIES, SHALL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT MARKET DEVELOPMENT 
AND TRADE PROMOTION PROGRAMS FOR ORGANIC AGRICULTURE, 
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:
1. DEVELOPMENT 
OF 
MARKETING 
AGENDA 
FOR 
ORGANIC 
AGRICULTURE
2. ESTABLISHMENT, 
ENSURING 
SUSTAINABILITY 
AND 
MONITORING 
OF 
ORGANIC 
TRADING 
POSTS 
AND 
STALL/OUTLETS, PROVIDED THAT THESE TRADING POSTS 
AND STALLS/OUTLETS ARE STRATEGICALLY LOCATED IN AN 
AREA SUCH AS IN THE PUBLIC MARKET AND IN OTHER 
CENTERS OF TRADING AND LOCAL BUSINESS ACTIVITIES;
3. DEVELOPMENT OF MARKET INFORMATION SYSTEM;
4. PROMOTION OF ORGANIC FOOD, NON-FOOD AND INPUT 
PRODUCTS; AND
5. FACILITATION OF MARKET MATCHING ACTIVITIES."
SEC. 15. Sections 20 to 25 o f Republic Act No. 10068 are hereby 
renumbered accordingly.
SEC. 16. Section 26 is hereby amended and renumbered, to read as 
follows:
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"SEC. [36] 27. Penal Provisions AND OTHER PENALTIES. -  Any 
person who w illfully and deliberately:
XXX
(c) mislabels or claims th a t the product is organic when it is not in 
accordance w ith the existing standards for Philippine organic agriculture 
or this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by im prisonm ent of not 
less than one (1) month nor more than six (6) months, or a fine o f not 
more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00), or both, at the discretion 
of the court. If the offender is a corporation or a juridical entity, the 
official who ordered or allowed the commission o f the offense shall be 
punished w ith the same penalty. If the offender is in the governm ent 
service, he shall, in addition, be dismissed from  office: PROVIDED, THAT 
ANY PCS GROUP/ORGANIC CERTIFYING BODY FOUND TO HAVE 
ISSUED A CERTIFICATION TO A FARM OR PRODUCER ESTABLISHED 
TO BE NOT COMPLIANT WITH ANY OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL 
STANDARDS ON ORGANIC AGRICULTURE OR WITH THE PROVISIONS 
OF THIS ACT, SHALL BE PENALIZED BY THE BAFS AS FOLLOWS:
1. FIRST OFFENSE. WRITTEN WARNING.
2. SECOND OFFENSE. SUSPENSION OF ACCREDITATION."
SEC. 17. Sections 27 to 32 are hereby renumbered accordingly.
SEC. 18. Im plem enting Rules and Regulations (IRR). -T h e  NOAB shall 
adopt rules and regulations to im plem ent the provisions of this Act w ithin ninety 
(90) days from  the effectivity o f this Act and subm it the same to the COCAFM 
fo r review and approval. In the drafting o f the IRR, the Departm ent o f Finance 
shall be consulted in connection with the tax incentives provided under Section 
24 o f Republic Act No. 10068.
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SEC. 19. Separability Clause. If any provision o f this Act is declared 
invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 20. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof 
contrary to  or inconsistent w ith this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly.
SEC. 21. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
follow ing its publication in at least tw o (2) newspapers of general circulation or 
in the Official Gazette.
Approved,
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