WHO IN THE PHILIPPINES CAN CERTIFY THAT FOOD IS GENUINELY ORGANIC?

WHO IN THE PHILIPPINES CAN CERTIFY THAT FOOD IS GENUINELY ORGANIC?

In many countries, the answer is simple: the government itself certifies what is organic. In the United States, for example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) directly sets and enforces certification. But here in the Philippines, the situation is more complicated—and, to my mind, more confusing than it should be.

Under Republic Act No. 10068 and its amendment Republic Act No. 11511, the Department of Agriculture (DA) does not certify farms or products directly. Instead, through the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), it accredits private and community-based certifying bodies.

Why is that so? I still find it difficult to accept that when it comes to something as critical as food safety and public health, the government would step back and allow others to take the lead role in certification. Is this efficiency—or is this, in effect, a form of privatization?

Today, there are two recognized pathways for organic certification. First, third-party certifiers such as the Organic Certification Center of the Philippines and the Negros Island Organic Certification Center. These are accredited by BAFS and are required for products intended for large markets or export. Second, there is the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), a community-based approach where farmers, consumers, and local governments validate compliance among themselves.

On paper, the system looks inclusive. In practice, however, it raises serious questions. Can we truly rely on peer certification, even if it is regulated? Does the average consumer even understand the difference between a third-party certification and a PGS label?

To be fair, PGS was institutionalized precisely to help small farmers who cannot afford the high cost of third-party certification. That is a noble objective. But should affordability come at the expense of uniformity and, potentially, credibility?

Let me be clear: I am not against private certifiers or community-based systems. What I am suggesting is a dual system where the DA itself also acts as a direct certifying body. Let the government certify. Let the private sector certify. Then let the public decide whom to trust.

After all, competition—even among certifiers—could improve standards and accountability.

Another issue that bothers me is the existence of what appears to be a two-tier system: stricter certification for export markets and a more flexible system for domestic consumption. Why should Filipinos accept lower standards than foreign buyers? What is good for export should be good for our own dining tables.

We must also confront a growing problem in the marketplace: products casually labeled as “organic,” “natural,” or “pesticide-free” without any legal basis. This is not just misleading—it is dangerous. Without proper certification, these claims are nothing more than marketing gimmicks.

The law is clear: only products certified by BAFS-accredited bodies can carry the official organic label. Yet enforcement remains a challenge.

If we can bring order to this system—clear standards, stronger enforcement, and perhaps a more active role for government—we will not only protect consumers. We will also empower farmers. Certified organic products command higher prices, and rightly so. Thousands of Filipino farmers stand to benefit from a system that truly works.

So I ask: Is it too much to expect the government to take a more direct role in certifying what we eat? Or is it time to rethink a system that, while well-intentioned, may still be falling short of its ultimate goal—protecting both the farmer and the Filipino consumer?

RAMON IKE V. SENERES

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