The Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) conducted a national inspection of 66 farms for Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) certification from June 9 to 13, 2025. The inspections overlaid 26 farms in Alfonso Lista and Lamut, Ifugao, and 40 farms in Balili, Mankayan, Benguet.
These farms cultivate varied crops, including rice, mango, potato, carrot, garden pea, cabbage, broccoli, bell pepper, gabi, beans, eggplant, tomato, squash, bitter gourd, okra and onion leek. Each farm went through evaluation and was found amenable to PhilGAP standards, which prioritize food safety, product quality, environmental sustainability, and the health and welfare of agricultural workers.
The inspection of the Ifugao farm sites was led by Ms. Jenny P. Cipriano from BPI, and Mr. Melchor B. Tumbaga and Ms. Leiza E. Calantas from DA-CAR. In Mankayan, the team included Mr. Kevin Quinones from BPI-Manila, Mr. Rommel B. Sobrera from BPI-Baguio and Mr. Doweno C. Santiago, Jr. and Mr. Jeferson V. Aludos from DA-CAR.
As of this inspection, Ifugao Province has 43 active PhilGAP-certified farms, while Mankayan has 240. Certified farms will be continuously monitored annually or more as deemed necessary based on initial inspection to ensure sustained compliance with PhilGAP standards.
The successful conduct of the inspections punctuates the commitment of farm owners and local government units in promoting safe, high-quality, and sustainable agricultural practices. PhilGAP Certificates are expected to be issued to the compliant farmers after one month from the inspection.//LCalantas and DLicuben
