The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 8 ( DA-RFO 8 ) successfully concluded the 3rd Party Organic Certification of farm applicants from the region on March 24, 2023.

 

The entire certification process lasted for four weeks composed of farm inspection and evaluation. It was spearheaded by the Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP ICS) with the support ofthe Regulatory Division and Organic Agriculture Program (OAP), together with the concerned local government units.

 

Relative to this, the certification of existing organic farms in the region have been renewed for another year, namely:

a. Bendicar Farm located in Sogod, Southern Leyte, owned by Mr. Bendicar Gerona;

b. Canaan Hill Farms in Caibiran, Biliran, represented by Mr. Jeffrey Espinazo;

c. Juanito Eco-Farm School for Practical Agriculture (JEFSPA) in Kananga, Leyte, owned by Mr. Olegario F. Paredes Jr.;

d. La Granja de Reyna in Tacloban City, owned by Engr. Martina D. Reyna; and,

e. OGAT Garden in Sta. Margarita, Samar, owned by Mr. Rafael B. Payod Sr.

 

Moreover, three new organic farms have been certified, namely:

a. Apoy Benit’s Cacao Agricultural Farming, located in Calbayog City, owned by Atty. Gerardo Dean;

b. SSM Integrated Farm in Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, owned by Mr. Sandy S. Matunog; and,

c. Mike Pedroso Farms in Calbayog City, Samar, owned by Engr. Miguel Pedroso.

 

To date, the program is coordinating with the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) for the accreditation of these certified farms. ###

 

Report from Organic Agriculture Program/ Lor Fatima Bucatcat