(NAR) VOL. 29 NO. 1/ JANUARY - MARCH 18
1.1 Facilitate the adoption of the four (4) GAP modules: food safety; produce quality, environmental management; and worker’s health, safety and welfare.
1.2 Facilitate availability and access of Philippine agricultural crops to neighboring ASEAN markets and other foreign markets.
4.1 Individual certification - where an individual producer, who will be the certificate holder, applies for certification based on its currently practiced farm management system.SECTION 5. This Circular also establishes the composition and tasks of the Certification Committee, PhilGAP Inspectors, Monitoring Inspectors, Program Secretariat and Regional GAP Team.
4.2 Group Certification - where a group, (i.e. cooperative, corporation,
institution or organization/ association) who will be the certificate holder, applies for certification based on its currently practiced quality management system (QMS) or internal control system (ICS), whichever is applicable.
6.1 Agricultural Crops refers to cultivated plants of which products are harvested at some point in their growth stage intended for human consumption.
6.2 Applicant refers to any person or individuals and groups (cooperative,
corporation, institution or organization/association) that are involved in crop production applying for PhilGAP certification.
6.3 Application Form refers to a document to be filled out by the applicant applying for PhilGAP certification, which also specifies the list of documentary requirements.
6.4 Certification refers to the issuance of PhilGAP certificate with a formal procedure by which a competent authority evaluates and verifies applications in accordance with the established requirements or standards.
6.5 Certification Committee refers to a group chaired by the BPI Assistant Director tasked to evaluate and review applications to recommend qualified applicants to the BPI Director for approval.
6.6 Conflict of interest refers to as having an economic interest with the applicant under review for approval one year prior to, during or one year after work or employment was concluded.
6.7 Farm refers to an area that is devoted primarily to agricultural processes with the primary objectives of producing agricultural crops.
6.8 Food Safety refers to the assurance that food will not cause harm to the consumers when it is prepared or eaten according to its intended use.
6.9 Food Safety Act of 2013 also known as “Republic Act No. 10611” refers to an act that strengthens the food safety regulatory system in the country to protect consumer health and facilitate market access of local foods and food products and for other purposes.
6.10 Good Agricultural Practices ( GAP ) refer to the practices that address
environmental, economic and social sustainability for on-farm processes, and which result in safe and quality food and nonfood agricultural products.
6.11 Inspection refers to the examination of food, food production facilities or establishments, and the management and production systems of food businesses, including the examination of documents, finished product testing and registration, and of the origin and destination of production inputs and outputs to verify compliance with legal requirements or relevant standard by an agency mandated to perform food safety regulatory and/or enforcement functions.
6.12 Inspection Checklist refers to a document developed based on existing Philippine National Standards (PNS) that provide guidance to inspectors in verifying compliance based on the approved standards.
6.13 Inspection Plan refers to a document that provides the details of the inspection that include its activities, timelines and members of the inspection team.
6.14 Inspection Report refers to a record that summarizes the observations and findings during the conduct of inspection.
6.15 Inspection Team refers to a group of designated PhilGAP inspectors, which may also include the program secretariat, tasked to inspect and assess compliance of a farm with the established standards.
6.16 Monitoring refers to conducting a planned sequence of observations or measurements to assess whether control measures are operating as intended.
6.17 Monitoring Inspector refers to duly designated technical personnel from BPI tasked to monitor PhilGAP certified farms with regard to their compliance to established provisions.
6.18 PhilGAP Inspector refers to duly designated technical personnel from BPI, various regional field offices and other agencies tasked to conduct actual inspection relevant to initial or renewal inspection, and to prepare and submit inspection report.
6.19 Production Record refers to documentation of activities from primary
production and postharvest handling up to distribution.
6.20 Program Secretariat refers to duly designated Plant Product Safety Services Division (PPSSD) personnel that are tasked, among others, to prepare and transmit official communication, to prepare inspection plan, coordinate with relevant agencies and facilitate submission of qualified applicants for certification.
7.1 The BPI Assistant Director shall chair the PhilGAPCC composed of the chiefs of Plant Product Safety Services Division (PPSSD) as co-chair, National Plant Quarantine Services Division (NPQSD), and National Seed Quality Control Services Division (NSQCSD) and/or their designated representatives. There shall be designated permanent members wherein a Special Order is signed by the Secretary.SECTION 8. Pool of PhilGAP Inspectors,
7.2 The PhilGAPCC is tasked to perform the following functions:
7.2.1 After initial evaluation of applicants by the PhilGAP Inspectors, the PhilGAPCC shall undertake final evaluation of and make appropriate recommendations to the BPI Director regarding applications;
7.2.2 Endorse to the BPI Director the qualified applicants for certification;
7.2.3 Act on filed complaints about abuses in the production and sale of products that do not adhere to PhilGAP provisions, including the use of PhilGAP certified mark; review the reports of investigations, and make the appropriate recommendations to the BPI Director whether or not to revoke, or cancel a previously issued PhilGAP certification;
7.2.4 Recommend to BPI Director the list of qualified PhilGAP inspectors as identified and endorsed by the directors of the various agencies or by the DA Regional Field Offices (RFOs), for approval to the Office of the Secretary;
7.2.5 Undertake annual review of the program, set priorities and endorse the proposed strategic plan to the BPI Director for approval; and
7.2.6 Undertake annual review of the guidelines, its inspection procedures and propose changes, when necessary.
8.1 The BPI shall maintain a pool of inspectors. The current pool of inspectors as provided by relevant Special Orders shall remain valid until amended or revoked.SECTION 9. Pool of PhilGAP Monitoring Inspectors.
8.2 The pool of PhilGAP Inspectors is tasked to perform the following functions:8.2.1 Set-out the inspection plan;8.3 Designated PhilGAP inspectors shall hold a degree in agriculture or other related science courses with training and experience in any of the following: basic food safety principles, crop management, integrated pest management, postharvest techniques and handling aspects, and environmental management.
8.2.2 Conduct actual inspection;
8.2.3 Collect samples for laboratory analysis, as deemed necessary;
8.2.4 Prepare inspection report;
8.2.5 Coordinate with the applicant regarding compliance and non- compliance with items reflected in the inspection report;
8.2.6 Conduct follow-up inspections, if necessary; and
8.2.7 Submit the inspection report and checklist to the Certification Committee through the Program Secretariat.
8.4 The BPI may collaborate with the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) in training the PhilGAP inspectors on the provisions of the Philippine National Standards (PNS).
8.5 The budget for the inspection and training activities shall be charged to the BPI GAP Program, subject to availability of funds and government accounting rules and regulations.
9.1 The Plant Product Safety Services Division ( PPSSD ) shall head the pool of Monitoring Inspectors.
9.2 The pool of Monitoring Inspectors is tasked to perform the following
functions:9.2.1 Monitor compliance of PhilGAP certified farms, and;9.3 Designated Monitoring Inspectors shall hold a degree in agriculture or other related science courses with training and experience in any of the following: basic food safety principles, crop management, integrated pest management, postharvest techniques and handling aspects, and environmental management.9.2.2 Conduct investigations of filed complaints.
9.4 The BPI may collaborate with BAFS in training the pool of Monitoring
Inspectors on the provisions of the PNS.
9.5 The budget for the monitoring and training activities shall be charged to the BPI GAP Program, subject to availability of funds and government accounting rules and regulations.
10.1 The Accreditation and Inspection Section (AIS) of the BPI-Plant Product Safety Services Division (PPSSD) shall head the PhilGAP Program Secretariat composed of designated BPI-PPSSD personnel.SECTION 11. Regional Field Office - Regulatory Division (RFO-RD)
10.2 The PhilGAP Program Secretariat is tasked to perform the following functions:10.2.1 Technical Support
10.2.1.1 Assessment of submitted applications;
10.2.1.2 Prepare inspection plan;
10.2.1.3 Coordinate with the PhilGAP inspectors and relevant agencies or offices during the conduct of inspection;
10.2.1.4 Receive and submit the results of inspections to the PPSSD Division Chief who shall review and submit the same to PhilGAPCC with recommendation for possible action;
10.2.1.5 Safe keep all pertinent documents related to PhilGAP
certification;10.2.1.6 Draft official communications and documentations; and10.2.2 Administrative Support
10.2.1.7 Perform other duties that may be assigned from time to time in relation to PhilGAP activities.10.2.2.1 Responsible for scheduling of inspections;
10.2.2.2 Take charge of booking, transportations, and budget preparations;
10.2.2.3 Responsible of organize record keeping and other documentations;
10.2.2.3 Coordinate with the technical secretariat and management in relation to administrative matters;
10.2.2.4 Perform other duties that may be assigned from time to time in relation to PhilGAP activities
11.1 The RFO-RD is tasked to perform the following functions:SECTION 12. The BPI, if deem necessary, shall accredit Third Party to conduct PhilGAP inspection and certification. The necessary guidelines will be issued before the accreditation.
11.1.1 Promote and provide assistance to eligible farmers in applying for
PhilGAP certification; and
11.1.2 Conduct farm pre-assessment and recommend applicants to
Regional Director for endorsement to BPI.
a. Individual, including partnerships;13.2 Applicants shall submit the following documentary requirements:
b. Group (cooperatives, corporations, institutions organizations /
associations)
c. Agencies managing demonstration farms of government, academic and/or research institutions, including LGUs
a. Duly accomplished application form;
b. Farm profile;
c. Farm map or area map and GPS coordinates, if available;
d. Field operation procedures including the list of fertilizers, pesticides and other agro-chemical inputs used;
e. Certificate of training of the farm owner or authorized representative on PhilGAP conducted by recognized institutions by any of the following: ATI, BPI, LGUs, RFOs, SUCs or by ATI-accredited extension service providers. For internally conducted trainings, a record of training should be provided;f. Production and harvesting records. Applicants applying for certification must have at least one production cycle of record or three (3) months of farm records.
a. Duly accomplished application form signed by the applicant or designated representative. A board resolution showing authority to the designated representative to sign the application form in behalf of the cooperative, corporation, institution or organization/association shall be attached to the application form;b. Farm and/or organizational profile, as applicable;
c. Farm map or area map and GPS coordinates, if available;
d. Field operation procedures including the list of fertilizers and agro-chemical inputs used;
e. Certificate of GAP training of the farmers, conducted by any of the following: ATI, BPI, LGUs, RFOS, SUCs or by ATI- accredited extension service providers. For internally conducted trainings, a record of training should be provided;
f. Production and harvesting records. Applicants applying for
certification must have at least one production cycle of record or three (3) months of farm records.
g. For corporation, Quality Management System (QMS) or
Internal Control System, as applicable
h. Certificate of Registration (i.e. SEC, DOLE, CDA) and other related permits (e.g, ECC), as applicable;
i. Certificate for accreditation of farmers/growers, if applicable; and
j. Procedure for outgrowership or contract farming scheme which will show that the company/PMOs/cooperative have 100% control of all registered or accredited growers, (e.g, internal policies on accreditation of farmer/grower, sanctions, etc.), if applicable.
a) PhilGAP Certificate Number;
b) Farm identification number;
c) Name of the farm/applicant;
d) Address of the farm;
e) Name of farm / crop certified,
f) Validity period
g) Signing authority, and;
h) Terms and conditions15.6 For group certification, the issued PhilGAP certificate shall be accompanied by an Annex showing the list of farmer members, area of farm and name of produce.
Size: 1.2 mx 0.9 mSECTION 16. Monitoring of PhilGAP Certified Farms
Height from the ground: 2 m
White background with black letterings
PhilGAP Certified Farm
Name of the Farm:
Farm Identification No.:
Name of the Applicant:
Location of the Farm:
Name of Crops Certified: Area Planted:
Validity period:
a. Updated farm records in the last two (2) years of operation.18.3 Application for renewal should be filed not later than three (3) months prior to the expiry date.
b. Updated list of fertilizers and pesticides used;
c. Updated farm map (showing new areas/expansion of areas), if applicable; and
d. Revised manual of operation, if applicable;
a. Name, address and telephone number of the applicant;
b. Date of approval;
c. Any information to comply with a court order; and
d. Any information to comply with a request from the PhilGAPCC investigating an alleged complaint.