PGS-Cotabato Province Visits SOXAARRDEC for Partnership

The Participatory Guarantee System Cotabato Province Inc. (PGSCPI), led by Mr. Referendo B. Abrenilla, Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, together with its members and officers, paid a courtesy call to Dr. Julius Jerome G. Ele, Director of SOXAARRDEC, on March 19, 2026. The meeting took place at the SOXAARRDEC Director’s office, where Mr. Abrenilla introduced the group and expressed their intention to collaborate with the consortium.

Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) are community-based initiatives designed to ensure the quality and integrity of organic products while promoting rural development through active involvement in decision-making and marketing. The visit aimed to strengthen partnership opportunities, share practice knowledge, and explore ways to support local farmers and producers in advancing sustainable organic agriculture.

Ms. Pernelyn S. Torreña, the Management Communication Chair, expressed her gratitude for the willingness to host and conduct training and seminars for the group. Among the topics raised by Mr. Raymarc E. Espinosa was the formulation of feeds for livestock and poultry. This was supported by Ms. April Kristine A. Duga, the undersecretary and member of PGS-Cotabato, who also specifically requested planting materials. A recent meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore partnerships to support local farmers and producers.

During the meeting, they also talked about the agreement to facilitate a needs assessment meeting. They will visit their respective areas to evaluate local conditions, identify community needs, and determine the most suitable seminars and training. Their goals include engaging in organic agriculture, livestock and poultry production, acquiring basic accounting skills, and securing intellectual property rights for product labeling, with a particular focus on crops such as banana, cassava, palay, and corn.

Key topics discussed environmental impacts on animal production, and ensuring access to uncontaminated resources with proper records. The long-term target is to establish ideal groups of around 20 participants capable of producing measurable outputs. PGSCPI also highlighted the benefits of organic farming for soil health, biodiversity, and environmentally safe food products, particularly for crops and fisheries. Through these collaborative efforts, SOXAARRDEC continues to support the Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) sector and advance the growth of organic agriculture in the region.