GoOrganic! Philippines

Bill Highlights

• Policy - To promote, propagate, develop further and implement the practice of Organic Agriculture  that will cumulatively condition and enrich the fertility of the soil, increase farm productivity, reduce pollution and destruction of the environment, prevent depletion of natural resources, further protect the health of farmers, consumers and the general public, and save on imported farm inputs.
• Coverage – (a) Policy Formulation on regulation, registration, accreditation, certification and labeling on organic agriculture; (b) Research, development and extension of appropriate sustainable environment and gender friendly, organic agriculture; (c) Promotion and encouragement of the establishment of facilities, equipment and processing plants that would accelerate the production and commercialization of organic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and other appropriate farm inputs; and (d) Implementation of organic agricultural programs, projects and activities, including the provision and delivery of support services with focus on the farmers and other stakeholders.
• National Organic Agricultural Program – through the promotion and commercialization of organic farming practices, cultivation and adoption of production and processing methods which have already been developed, or to be developed, continuing research and upgrading thereof, the capacity building of farmers and the education of consumers thereon, the extension of assistance to local government units (LGUs), peoples’ organizations (POs), nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders including individuals  and groups who are practicing and promoting these methods as well as those who are willing to do other pertinent activities, and documentation and evaluation of the program.
• National Organic Agricultural Board (NOAB) – to carry out the policy and the programs provided in this Act, there is hereby created a NOAB which shall be the policy-making body and shall provide direction and general guidelines for the implementation of the National Organic Agriculture Program. The NOAB shall be attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA). The NOAB shall ensure the full participation of POs, NGOs and the general public through coordination and consultative mechanisms such as, but not limited to, public hearings, meetings and joint projects.
• NOAB Composition – (a) DA Secretary or permanent representative, with a rank of Undersecretary as CHAIR; (b) DILG Secretary or permanent representative with a rank of Undersecretary as VICE – CHAIR; (c) DOST Secretary or representative; (d) DENR Secretary or permanent representative; (e) DEP-ED Secretary or permanent representative; (f) DAR Secretary or permanent representative; (g) DTI Secretary or permanent representative; (h) DOH Secretary or permanent representative; (i) 3 representatives from the small farmers; and (j) a representative each from the NGOs involved in sustainable agriculture for at least (3) years; agricultural colleges and universities; and private sector or agribusiness firms; as members
• Powers and Functions of the NOAB – (a) Formulate Policies, plans, programs and projects to develop and promote organic agriculture, production, processing and trade; (b) Oversee the successful implementation of the National Organic Agricultural Program; (c) Indentify sources of financing to expand organic agriculture; (d) Monitor and evaluate the performance of programs for appropriate incentives; (e) Undertake measures for the international recognition of local certification of organic products; (f) Call upon any government agency to carry out programs/project of the NOAB; (g) Call upon private sectors, POS and NGOs and the academe to provide advice on matters pertaining to organic agriculture and conduct of capability-building initiatives… in coordination with the Agricultural Training Institute; (h) Submit annual and other periodic reports to the President, Secretary of DA and Congress of the Philippines through the Congressional Oversight Committee on Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization (COCAFM); (i) Promulgate such rules and regulations and exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary to carry out effectively the purpose and objectives of this Act; and (j) Perform other functions as may be necessary for its effective operations and for the continued enhancement, growth or development of organic agriculture.
• Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards (BAFPS) – The BAFPS of the DA shall be strengthened and empowered in terms of establishing functional divisions and incremental staffing to serve as the national technical and administrative secretariat of the NOAB with the member agencies providing additional staff support as the need arises.
• Function, Duties and Responsibilities of the BAFPS – (a) Implement organic agriculture programs and projects approved by the NOAB; (b) Update the NOAB on the status of the programs, projects and activities undertaken for the development and promotion of organic agriculture (c) create effective networking with the various stakeholders involved in organic production; and (d) Perform such other functions, duties and responsibilities as may be necessary to implement this Act and as directed by the NOAB.
• Work Plan – In line with the National Organic Agricultural Program, the BAFPS shall submit to the Boards for approval the following (a) A plan of bringing the program down to the grassroots, utilizing available personnel and facilities on the local level and those of LGUs; (b) A pattern of cooperation and mutual assistance with LGUs, POs, and NGOs, which will maximize people empowerment and participatory approaches to program formulation, implementation and monitoring; and (c) A schedule of short-term, medium term and long term targets on research and development, marketing, trade promotion/initiatives, capacity building, among others.
• Organic Agriculture and the Protection of the Environment – The NOAB shall constantly devise and Implement ways of producing organic farm inputs and help alleviate the problems of industrial wastes and community garbage disposal. The BAFPS shall conduct studies and consultations in order to advise local government on the collection and disposal of wastes and the production of organic farm inputs.
• Local Executive Committees – (For Governors/Mayors intending to shift its area to organic agriculture) Every provincial governor shall form a provincial technical committee which shall, in coordination with the BAFPS/DA-Regional Field Units (RFUs) implement activities in line with the National Organic Agriculture Program. Every municipal mayor shall likewise form a municipal technical committee for implementing activities in line with the National Organic Agricultural Program.
• Accreditation of Organic Certifying Body - The BAFPS is designated and authorized to grant official accreditation to an organic certifying body or entity. The BAFPS is task to formulate necessary rules and procedures in the accreditation of the organic certifying body. There shall be at least 1 accredited organic certifying body each in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, or in case that only one certifying body is accredited, it shall have at least 1 satellite office each in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
• Registration of Organic Food and Organic Input Producers – All food and input establishments must register with the BAFPS, submitted through electronic portal to the director an contain information that may determine to be appropriate such as: (a) Name, address and emergency contact information; (b) Primary purpose of business activity; (c) List of organic food or input produced and corresponding brand names; (d) For organic food establishment, the name, address and contact information of the organic food certifying body; (e) An assurance that the registrant will notify the director of any change in the products, function or legal status; and (f) For organic producers, a list of materials used in the production of each particular input.
• Labeling of Organic Produce – The label of organic produce shall contain the name, logo or seal of the organic certifying body and accreditation issued by the BAFPS. Only third party certification is allowed to be labeled as organically produced.
• Retailing of Organic Produce – Retail establishments shall designate a separate area to display the organic produce to avoid mixing it with non-organic produce.
• Research, Development and Extension (RDE) – The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), as the lead agency shall coordinate with other agencies of the DA, DAR, DOST, DepEd, DILG, SUCs and private organizations to develop, enhance, support and consolidate activities and related technologies for the formulation and implementation of a unified and integrated organic agriculture RDE Plans which include: (a) Research, Development and Commercialization of appropriate, innovative organic agricultural technologies; (b) Nationwide promotion of developed and commercially viable farm wastes and by-products through various extension strategies to accelerate production and distribution of organic fertilizers; and (c) Conduct research for market development, policy formulation, regulation and certification.
• Organic Agriculture RDE Network – organized by the BAR and composed of SUCs, LGUs, NGOs, reorganized association of organic input manufacturers and distributors, agricultural engineers, agriculturists, soil technologists and farmer’s groups/associations.
• RDE Centers – National, Regional and Provincial Organic R&D centers will be established and integrated as a major component of the existing RDE centers of the DA, DOST, DENR, SUCs and LGUs.
• Incentives – The Government shall extend incentives for the production and propagation of organic farm inputs by maximizing their use in all government and government-supported agricultural production, research and demonstration programs. Incentives shall also be provided to farmers whose farms have been duly certified as compliant to the Philippine National Standard (PNE). The DA may also give cash rewards in recognition of the best organic farm in the country. Government agencies, lending and non-lending institutions shall also assist organic farmers and input producers in financial, technical, marketing and other services and resources which includes, but not limited to the following: (a) Exemption from the payment of duties on the importation of agricultural equipment, machinery and implements; (b) Identification by LGUs of local taxes that may be offered to organic input production and utilization; (c) Provisions of preferential rates and special windows  by the LBP; (d) Subsidies for certification fees and support services to facilitate organic certification; (e) Zero-rated VAT on transactions; and (f) tax Holidays and exemption for 7 years from the date of registration, on all income taxes. Tax incentives shall be given only to purely organic agricultural entities/farms, subject to the accreditation of the BAFPS and available to micro, small and medium enterprise.
• Appropriations – Php 50 Million and the existing budget for the promotion of organic farming of the DA is appropriated for the initial years of implementation of the Act and for the continuous operation of the NOAB. The NOAB is also authorized to solicit and accept assistance or facilities in forms of grants from individuals/entities local or foreign.