PB okays organic farming ordinance

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Board has unanimously approved on third and final reading an ordinance institutionalizing sustainable agricultural practices, promoting chemical-free farming, protecting the environment, and safeguarding public health.

Board Member Victoria G. Corominas-Toribio authored the measure, which was passed during the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s regular session on Monday, June 16.

Titled the Cebu Organic Agriculture Development Ordinance, the measure has been allocated an initial funding of ?15 million.

A copy of the ordinance obtained by The Freeman states that the measure aligns with Republic Act 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, and its amendment, RA 11511, thereby localizing and strengthening Cebu’s role in environmental protection through agriculture.

“It is hereby declared the policy of the Province of Cebu to encourage, promote, propagate, develop, protect and implement the practice of organic agriculture to reduce pollution and destruction of the environment, protect the health of producers and consumers of farm products and educate the public on the health benefits of organically-grown agricultural products,” reads a portion of the ordinance.

Central to the ordinance is the creation of the Cebu Organic Agriculture Development Advisory Council, a multi-sectoral policy-making body that will oversee the program’s direction, implementation, and evaluation.

The council will include representatives from the Provincial Agriculture Office, the Department of Agriculture’s Organic Agriculture Program Coordinator (DA-7), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-7), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7). It will also include a representative from a government-recognized educational institution offering agriculture-related programs and a representative from the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

The chairperson of the council will come from the private sector and be elected from among its members.

The program is anchored on five major components: promotion, capacity building, production support, certification, and marketing assistance—all aimed at increasing the adoption of organic farming practices among Cebuano farmers.

Promotion efforts will be led by the Provincial Agriculture Office in partnership with national agencies and civil society groups, using media campaigns, farm tours, and educational programs to raise public awareness.

For capacity building, the province will establish demonstration farms and provide training programs to help farmers transition to organic methods.

Under production support, the ordinance mandates the distribution of farming tools, organic seeds, and seedlings to certified organic farms. The province will also build a seed bank and help farmers gain access to insurance coverage for crops and livestock.

To cushion the transition to organic production, a subsidy system will be implemented over five years, starting at ?40 per kilo of organic produce sold in certified markets, gradually decreasing each year until it reaches ?5 per kilo in the fifth year.

Organic farms will be classified into four tiers—Categories A to D—depending on their compliance with organic farming standards and their stage in the transition from synthetic inputs.

To assist in marketing, the provincial government will encourage LGUs to establish Local Organic Agriculture Centers and provide exposure and subsidies for organic producers at agricultural fairs.

Violations of the ordinance—such as making false certification claims or obstructing organic farming development—will carry administrative penalties ranging from ?1,000 per packaged product to ?1,000 per non-compliant animal. Repeat offenders may face judicial proceedings, with penalties of up to ?5,000 or imprisonment of up to one year, subject to court discretion.

The ordinance takes effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation in Cebu Province and its cities. — (FREEMAN)