Question & AnswerQ&A (DA Department Circular No. 04, s. 2015)
The purpose is to provide guidelines to Regional Field Offices (RFOs) to effectively implement Section 24(d) of RA No. 10068 and to encourage organic agriculture entities/farmers and organic input producers to comply with the Philippine National Standards (PNS) for organic agriculture through third-party certification.
Eligible applicants are organic agriculture entities/farmers and organic input producers who are individual farmers or organized groups accredited with SEC, CDA, DOLE, or DTI, classified as Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), engaged in local organic food and input production, compliant with the applicable PNS as evidenced by an organic certificate issued by an accredited Organic Certifying Body (OCB), and registered with the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS).
The certification subsidy covers the total certification cost including application fees, certification fees, inspection and re-inspection fees such as travel expenses and per diems of inspectors, and costs of laboratory analysis to determine compliance with the PNS for organic agriculture.
An organic agriculture entity/farmer or organic input producer may avail of the certification subsidy for a maximum of three organic certifications.
The RFOs shall implement the subsidy scheme by processing applications, conducting pre-assessments, negotiating a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the local OCB and subsidy applicant, paying the subsidy directly to the accredited local OCB, and following procurement laws for the certification service.
Certification is the procedure by which accredited or officially recognized certifying bodies provide written attestation that food, inputs, or food control systems conform to applicable organic agriculture standards and requirements, often based on inspection, auditing, and examination activities.
MSMEs are business activities or entities engaged in industry, agribusiness, or services with total assets (excluding land) falling under: Micro – not more than ₱3,000,000; Small – ₱3,000,001 to ₱15,000,000; and Medium – ₱15,000,001 to ₱100,000,000.
Yes, but only to those belonging to MSMEs, indigenous people, and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) producing organic products intended for export.
Applicants must submit an accomplished subsidy application form, a letter of intent to undergo pre-assessment, and other documentary requirements as may be required by law and government accounting and auditing rules.
They may still receive the certification subsidy provided they comply with and fulfill all the mandatory requirements of the applicable standards for organic agriculture.