O.A.S.P

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE SOCIETY OF THE PHILIPPINES (OASP), INC. 
oasp.001@gmail.com

Join the OASP in the pursuit of improved and doable technologies

in Organic Agriculture to enhance productivity and uplift 
the living standard of the Filipino farmers.

The ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC

was organized in 2013 as a complimentary activity during the First Consultative Summit on the Role of the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the implementation of the Republic Act 10068 known as the Organic Agriculture Act of the Philippines and the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP) on November 14-16 in Baguio City.

          The participants unanimously agreed to the proposal from Organic Agriculture (OA) advocates, practitioners, and enthusiasts to bond into a society for the common goal of promoting OA in the country.  The Board of Directors was then formed and among them, the first set of officers was elected.  The OASP was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2014 as a non-stock, non-profit corporation with an initial 70 members.  This initiative was spearheaded by a group of SUC leaders headed by Dr. Rogelio D. Colting of the Benguet State University.

THE FIRST ORGANIC AGRICULTURE SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE

was held on July 7-11, 2015 at the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI-CAR) based at the Benguet State University Compound, La Trinidad 2601 Benguet.   More than 200  participants attended this conference from all over the Philippines. Educators, researchers, scientists, extension workers, organic farmers, input suppliers, government agency officials and State University and Colleges officers came to learn and present 69 scientific papers on Organic Agriculture.  According to category, five top papers were conferred award.  It is the objective of the OASP to bridge the gap between scientific research output and the application of these beneficial outputs to the farm.  Farmers thirst for improved technology that will enhance their productivity and food safety.

          This First Conference was co-organized with the Benguet State University-College of Agriculture and sponsored by the PCAARRD, DA-BAR, DA-NOAB, Harbest Agribusiness Corporation, ISU, CSU, CBSUA, USM, HARRDEC, Benguet-PLGU, La Trinidad-MLGU, ATI-CAR, and BSU.  Through the collective effort of the OASP Board of Directors headed by Dr. Rogelio D. Colting, founding President of OASP, and the former President of the Benguet State University, Dr. Ben D. Ladilad, the conduct of the Conference was brought into fruition.  

                The ABSTRACTS bounded in Volume 1 was published with the 69 scientific papers presented.  This was published by the OASP and funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR).  Preparation of the First Nat'l OA Scientific Conference Proceedings is underway. 

THE 2015-2016 OASP BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The 18-member Board of Directors were sworn to office by Dr. Rogelio D. Colting, the OASP Founding President, during the 1^st Organic Agriculture Scientific Conference.

The President is Mr. Arsenio Toto Barcelona, President of Harbest Agribusiness Corporation.

The Vice-Presidents for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are:  Dr. William C. Medrano, VP for RDET of Isabela State University, Echague, Isabela; Dr. Tirso A. Morante, Professor II of Eastern Samar University, Salcedo Campus, Salcedo, Eastern Samar; and Dr. Adeflor G. Garcia, Professor IV, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, South Cotabato.

The Board Secretary is Dr. Gilda Victoria Bucu-Jacalan, Deputy Director, Highland Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (HARRDEC), Benguet State University, La Trinidad. Benguet.  The Treasurer is Dr. Jose G. Balaoing, Director, Cordillera OA Development Center, BSU.  The Auditor is Dr. Cynthia M. Rodriguez, Director for Research, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Bacnotan, La Union.

The Public Relations Officers for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are: Dr. Artemio A. Martin Jr., Professor from Isabela State University, Echague Campus; Dr. Guillermo L. Legada Jr., Professor VI, Capiz State University, Roxas City; and Dr. Ronald D. Superioridad, University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, South Cotabato. 

The Business Managers for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are: Ms. Rowena Bienes of Allied Botanical Corporation, Cubao, Quezon City;  Engr. Salvador C. Ballano Jr., Director, Organic Agriculture Farming Center, Iloilo State College of Fisheries; and Dr. Conrado C. Evangelista, Professor VI, University of Mindanao, Kabacan, South Cotabato.

Directors are: Dr. Sonwright B. Maddul, Dean, College of Agriculture, BSU and concurrently the Consortium Executive Director of HARRDEC;  Mr. Rogelio J. Saniel, President of Saniel Integrated Farm, Zamboanga del Sur;  Mr. Olegario F. Paredes Jr., Farmer leader of DA-RO 8 from Ormoc City, Leyte; and Dr. Herminigilda D. Gabertan, Center Chief, Bureau of Plant Industry, Los Banos National Crop Research, Development, Production Support Center, Los Banos, Laguna.

PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES, 2015-2016

1. Organize the 2^ND National Organic Agriculture Scientific Conference on  February 17 to 19, 2016 at the  Visayas State University in Baybay City, Leyte.  Main features of the Conference include Plenary and Simultaneous Paper Presentation, Farmers' Forum, Young OA Farmers' Club Seminar-Orientation, Exhibits/Trade Fair, and Learning Tours.

2.  Donate OA Library Books.  Five copies of twenty titles are targeted to be provided to five SUCs.

3. Organize the Young Organic Farmers Club in SUCs to encourage young farmers and students interested in pursuing a career in farming. This will be headed by Dr. William Medrano of the Isabela State University. He was formerly a Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education. (CHeD).

4.  Raise funds for scholarship for five children of farmers each in three SUCs pursuing a career path on Organic Agriculture.  The fifteen scholars should be in their Third and Fourth year levels taking up an agriculture–based BS degree.  They will be provided PhP20,000 grant for tuition fee and allowances for clothing, books, and transportation per semester.  The Donor and Benefactor will have direct knowledge of each other.

5. Publish an Organic Agriculture Scientific Journal with about twenty scientific papers that were peer-reviewed/edited. This will be for domestic and international circulation showing the outstanding research outputs by Filipino researchers and scientists.

6. Help enhance the Organic Agriculture Curriculum Enhancement Program for SUCs.

7. Tap the Social Media for the publication and sharing of Organic Agriculture technologies, practices, success stories of OA farmers and other stakeholders.  An E-newsletter will also be published in the forthcoming OASP website wherein OA practitioners and technologies will be featured.  Newsbits from OASP members’ activities will be published.

8. Network and get-together with the OA experts from the SUC to promote and heighten students and farmers' awareness on OA.

9.  Campaign nation-wide for membership among Organic Agriculture scientists, researchers, extension workers, students,  organic agriculture input suppliers, and corporate as well as institutional members.  An active campaign to get 1,000 Lifetime members will be pursued.

OASP Metro Manila Liason Office

No.5 Rosemarie Lane Brgy, Kapitolyo,Pasig City,

Tel.No.:671-7411 to 14; Mobile No.: 0917-5203260