DA certifies 96 Caraga farms in fulfillment of PBBM’s promise
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA)—In fulfillment of PBMM’s promise on food security, 96 farms in Caraga region are certified under the program on Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP).
The Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga shared in a recent press conference. The program also strengthened the public’s access to safe and affordable food, with the majority of the farms located in Agusan del Norte.
Regional Executive Director Arlan M. Mangelen of DA Caraga emphasized the agency’s ongoing collaboration with local government units and partner institutions to promote food safety from farm to table.
“To meet the President’s call for a food-secure Philippines, we are not only working to increase food production but also making sure that the food reaching consumers is safe and affordable,” Mangelen stated. He also highlighted the active operation of Kadiwa stores across the region, which connect farmers directly to consumers and offer fresh produce at lower prices.
According to Beb Palingcod, DA Caraga’s food safety focal person, “Central to these efforts is the PhilGAP program, a set of standards that promote safe, sustainable, and quality farming practices.”
“PhilGAP certification is voluntary but highly encouraged. It gives consumers confidence that the food they’re eating is safe and supports farmers in gaining access to bigger markets,” Palingcod said. He also noted that certification under PhilGAP is free of charge, making it accessible to more farmers.
The breakdown of PhilGAP-certified farms in Caraga are as follows: Agusan del Norte with 76 farms; Agusan del Sur – 16 farms; Surigao del Norte – 3 farms; and Surigao del Sur with 1 farm.
Among these, 86 farms are individually owned, with others managed by farmers’ cooperatives, local government units, DA-attached agencies, and private corporations.
Sharen T. Rivas, science research specialist of PhilRice Agusan, also shared that rice grown under PhilGAP standards is now available in Cabadbaran City, demonstrating the region’s commitment to safe and sustainable agriculture.
Through the combined strategies of safe production via PhilGAP), accessible pricing, and strong farmer-government partnerships, DA Caraga continues to fulfill its mandate of protecting public health while empowering the region’s agricultural sector. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)
