DA’s BPI holds 1st National PhilGAP Summit in NV

DA’s BPI holds 1st National PhilGAP Summit in NV

The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with the DA-RF02 headed by Regional Executive Director Narciso A. Edillo, held its first Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) National Summit on September 21, 2022 at the Highlander Hotel and Resort in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.

The resource persons for the knowledge-sharing sessions were top-caliber entrepreneurs and representatives of some of the country’s mega-producers of agricultural products and processed foods, like Del Monte and Jollibee.

Joining them were officials of the DA, DOST, and UPLB who presented their respective institutions’ related programs and services.

The Summit presentations and discussions revolved around the theme: “Phil the GAP between Food and Safety: Leveling up the Plant Food Industry for a Healthful and Progressive Society”.

Highlighting the event was the awarding of Certificates of Recognition to Regional GAP Champions, four (4) of which are from the Province of Nueva Vizcaya, namely:
* Nueva Vizcaya – for being the First Province in the Region that has passed a Food Safety Ordinance which was also adopted by eight (8) of its component municipalities;
* Dupax del Norte – for having the Highest Number of Farmers Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) which have been consistently compliant with regulations on the production of “pesticide-residue free” vegetables and fruits;
* Kasibu – for having the Highest Number of Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) Certified Farms; and
* Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal – for being the First Trading Post to implement Food Safety Regulations by monitoring the pesticide residue level of vegetables traded in its marketing facilities.

The PhilGAP is a national program that helps implement the Food Safety Act of 2013 that identifies the responsibilities of Food Safety Regulatory Agencies (FSRAs) and other government agencies, as well as food establishment operators.

Specifically, it addresses the need to certify farmers and their farms to: facilitate the adoption of GAP aimed at ensuring food safety and assuring product quality while keeping high regard for environmental protection and that of workers’ health, safety, and welfare; produce quality, and safe agricultural crops for consumers; and facilitate access of Philippine agricultural crops to neighboring ASEAN and other foreign markets.

Region 02’s PhilGAP Focal Person-Team Leader Editha E. Cortina said that out of the 790 presently PhilGAP-certified farms and entrepreneurs across the whole archipelago, 128 are from the Region.

“We have 100 more that have already been evaluated and are now awaiting their certifications,” she added.

About ten (10) PhilGAP-certified farmers and entrepreneurs from Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, and Cagayan who participated in the Summit had put up booths showcasing their respective products.

More photos here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Beloved.Nueva.Vizcaya/permalink/5589588977754667/