Administrative Circular No. 01, Series of 2018 on the Rules and Regulations on the Certification of Philippine Good Crop Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP)

• ' January 16, 2018 . ADMlN!STRA'flVE CIRCULAR No. 0 I ·· · Series of 2018 . SUBJECT: RULES AND REGULATIONS ON THE CERTIFICATION OF PHILIPPINE . . . GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES (PhilGAP) FOR CROPS, SUP~RSEDING ft~DMINISTRA TIV.E CIRCULAR NO. 10 SER!ES 2013 . . . . Pursuant to Article III. Section 5 a (2,3,4) and Article V, Section 16.E of Republic Act No . . 10611, otherwise known as the ·Food Safety Act of 2013, "An Act to Strengthen the Food Safety Regulatory System · in the Country to Protect Consumer Health and Facilitate Market access of Local Foods .and Food Products, and For Other Purposes''. and the ASEAN . Goo~ Agric:;ultural Practices for the production of fresh fruits and vegetables in the ASEAN Region; this Circular is hereby promulgated. SECTION 1. 1.1 .. . . . ARTICLE I ... . OBJECTIVES . . This Administrative Circular aims to .achieve the following: . . facilitate the adoption of the four ( 4) GAP modules: food safety; produce quality; environmental management; and worker's health, safety and welfare. 1.2 Facilitate availability and access of Philippine agricultural crops to neigh·boring ASEAN markets and other foreign markets. . . ' SEC'flON 2. . SECTION 3. SECTION 4. . ARTlC LE II · · SCOPE AND COVERAGE • This Circular establishes .the. revised rules and procedures in issuing, maintaining and revoking PhilGAP Certificates for agricultural crops based on compliance with the four ( 4)i GAP ;modules as stipulated in Section 1.1. This Circular c·overs far~s and packing facilities with agricultural crops harvested ·. a.t a point in their ·growth stages intended· for human cons-umptio n or to be used as ravv materials for processed products for food purpose. This applies to agriculturai ~raps with available·Philippine· National Standards (PNS) guide.· . · Producers c~n appl;' for certification under· any of the two (2) ·options. 1098 l<..epublic of Lhe Philippines Depart1nenl of Agriculture C>FP'!CE OF 1'fIE SECRE'fAllY Elliptical Road, Dilin1an., Quezon City, 1101, Ph.ilippi.nes Lk1 Indi\ridual certification - wl1ere an individttal producer, who will be the certificate holder, applies for certification based on its currently practiced farn1 n1anagement syste1n. 4.2 Group Certification - where a grotlp, (i.e. cooperative, corporation, institution or organization/ association) who will be tl1e certificate holder, applies for certification based on its currently practiced quality management system (QMS) or internal control system (ICS), whichever is applicable . SEC'fION 5. rfhis Circular also establishes the composition and taslzs of the Certification Committee, Pl1ilGAP l11spectors, Monitoring Inspectors, Progran1 Secretariat and Regional Gi\..P Team. ARTICLE Jll DEFINITION OF TERMS SECTION 6. As used in this circular, the following words, terms and phrases shall be construed to n1ean as fo llows: 6.1 Agricultural Crops refers to cultivated plants of which products are l1arvested at sorne point in their growth stage intended for human consumption. 6.2 Ap1)licant refers to any perso11 or individuals and groups (cooperative, corporation, institution or organizatio11/association) that are involved in crop productio11 applying for Pl1ilGAP certification. 6.3 Application Form refers to a documer;it to be filled out by the applicant applying for PhilGAP certification, wl1ich also specifies the list of docun1entary requiren1ents. 6.4 Certification refers to tl1e issuance of PhilGAP cer tificate with a formal r)roced11re by wl1ich a compete11t authority evaluates and verifies app lications in accordance with the established requirements or standards. 6.5 Certification Con11nittee refers to a group cl1aired by the BPI Assistant Director tasked to evaluate and review applications t o recommend qualified applicants to the BPI Director for approval. 6.6 Co11flict of interest refers to as l1aving an econon1ic interest with tl1e applicant under revievv for approval one year prior to, during or one year after work or err1ployment ,rvas concluded. 1098 JlepubJic of U1e Philippines Dep,ut1nenl of Agriculture Of1'FICE OF 'fHE SECRETAllY :Elliptical :Road, Dilirnan, Quezon City, 1101, Philippines 6.7 Farrr1 refers to an area that is devoted primarily to agricultural processes vvith the primary objectives of producing agricultural cro1)s. 6.8 Food Safety refers to the assurance that food \Nill 11ot cause l1arm to the co11surr1ers when it is prepared or eaten according to its intended t1se. 6,9 Food Safety Act of 2013 also 1cnown as "Republic Act No. 10611" refers to an act that strengtl1ens the food safety regulatory system in the country to protect consl1mer health and facilitate rnarlcet access of local foods and food products and for other purposes. 6.10 Good Agriculti.1ral Practices ( GAP ) refer to the practices that address environmental, economic and social sustainability for on-farm processes, and which result in safe and quality food and nonfood agricultural products. 6.11 Inspection refers to the examination of food, food production facilities or establishments, and the management and production systems of food businesses, including tl1e examination of documents, finished product testing and registration, and of the origin and destination of production inputs and outputs to verify co1npliance with legal requirements or relevant standard by an agency mandated to perform food safety regulatory and/or enforcement functions. 6.12 Inspection Cl1ecl{list refers to a document developed based on existing Philippine National Standards (PNS) that provide guidance to inspectors in verifying compliance based on tl1e approved standards. 6.13 Inspection Plan refers to a documer1t tl1at provides the details of the inspection that include its activities, tin1elines and members of the i11spection tearn. 6.14 Inspection Report refers to a record that summarizes the observations and fi11dings cluring the co11duct of inspection. 6.15 Inspection Team refers to a group of designated PhilGAP inspectors, whicl1 may also include tl1e program secretariat, tasl<ed to inspect and assess co1npliance of a farm with the established standards. 6.16 Monitoring refers to conducting a l) lanned sequence of observatio11s or 1neasuren1ents to 8ssess vvhether control r11easures are operating as i11tended. 1890 .Republic of l'he Pl,ilippines Deparllnent of AgTicul!'w·e OFFICE OF THE SEClillTARY Elliptical Road, Diliinan, Quezon City, 1101, Philippines 6.17 Monitoring Inspector refers to duly designated technical personnel from BPI tasl<ed to n1onitor PhilGAP certif1ed farms with regard to their compliance to established pro,risions. 6.18 PhilG.ti.P lr1spector refers to duly designated tecl1nical personnel from BPI, various regional fieid offices and other agencies tasked to conduct actual inSJ)ection releva11t to i11itial or renewal inspection, and to prepare a11d submit inspection report. 6.19 Production Record refers to doct1mentation of activities from pri1nary production and postharvest handling up to distribution. 6.20 Prograrn Secretariat refers to duly designated Plant Product Safety Services Division (PPSSD) perso11nel that are taslced, an1ong others, to prepare and transn1it official co1nmunication, to prepare inspection plan, coordinate with relevant agencies and facilitate SL1bmission of qualified applicants for certification. ARTJCLE IV ADMINISTRATION SECTION 7. PhilG1\P Certification Committee ( PhilGAPCC) 7.1 The BPI Assistar1t Director shall chair the PhilGAPCC composed of the chiefs of Plant Product Safety Services Division (PPSSD) as co-chair, National l)lant Quarantine Services Division (NPQSD), and National Seed Quality Cor1trol Services Division (NSQCSD) and/ or their designated representatives. There shall be designated permanent members wherein a Special Order is signed by the Secretary. 7 .2 1' 11e PhilGAPCC is tasked to perform the following functions: 7.2.1 After initial evaluation of applicants by the PhilGAP Inspectors, tl1e PhilGAPCC shall undertake final evaluation of and make appropriate recommendations to the BPI Director regarding applications; 7 .2.2 E11dorse to tlie BPI Director tl1e qualified applicants for certification; 7.2.3 Act on filed co1nplaints about abuses in the production and sale of products that do not adhere to Phi!GAP provisions, including the llSe of PhilGP~P certified marl<; review the reports of i11vestigations, and make the appropriate recommendations to. the BPI Director whether or not to revol<.e, or cancel a previously issued Pl1i lGAP certification; ' 1090 Republic oJ IJ1e Philippines Deparunenl of AgriculLure 011'FICE OF THE SECRE'fJ>.JlY E lliptical Road, Dililnan, Quezon City, 1101, Philippines 7 .2.4 Recon1mend to BPI Director the list of qualified Phil GAP i11spectors as identified arid endorsed by the directors of the various agencies or by the DA Regional Field Offices (RFOs), for approval to the Office oftl1e Secretar:y; 7 .2.5 Undertal<e a11nt1al review of the program, set priorities and e11dorse tl1e proposed strategic plan to the BPI Director for approval; and 7 .2.6 Undertal<e annual review of the guidelines, its inspection p rocedt1res and propose changes, wl1en necessary. SECTION 8. Pool of Phil GAP Inspectors. 8 .1 The BPI sl1all m aintain a pool of inspectors. The current pool of ir1spectors as provided by relevant Special Orders shall remain valid until ar11ended or revoked. 8 .2 The pool of Pl1ilGAP Inspectors is tasked to perform the following functions: 8.2.1 Set-out the inspection plan; 8.2.2 Condt1ct actual inspection; 8.2.3 Collect samples for laboratory ar1alysis, as deemed necessary; 8.2.4 Prepare inspection report; 8.2.5 Coordinate with the applicant regarding compliance and non­ corr1pliance witl1 items reflected in the inspection report; 8.2.6 Conduct follow-up inspections, if necessary; and 8.2.7 Subn1it the inspection report and checklist to the Certification Con1mittee through the Progra1n Secretariat. 8.3 Designated Pl1ilGAP inspectors shall hold a degree in agriculture or other related science courses with training and experience in any of the following: basic food safety principles, crop management, integrated pest n1anagement, postharvest techniques and handling aspects, and environrnental managernent. 8.4 1'he BPI may collaborate with tl1e Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) in trai11i11g the PhilGAP inspectors on the provisions of the Pl1ilippine National Standards (PNS). 8 .5 T'he budget fo r the inspection and training activities shall be charged to the BPI GAP Progran1, subj-ect to availabi lity of funds and government accour1ting rules and regulations. SEC1'10N 9. Pool of Phil GAP Monitoring I11spectors . • . I 1098 Republic of the Philippines Deparllncnl of AgriculLore OFirlCE OF 'fHE SECllE'fARY Elliptical Road, Dililnrui., Quezon City, 1101, Plulippines 9 .1 'fhe Plant Product Safety Services Division ( PPSSD ) shall l1ead the pool of Monitoring Inspectors. 9 .2 The l)OOl of Monitoring Inspectors is tasked to perform the following fttnctions: 9 .2 .1 Monitor co1npliance of Phil GAP certified farms, and; 9 .2.2 Concluct invest igations of filed complaints. 9.3 Designated Monitoring Inspectors shall hold a degree in agriculture or other related science courses with training and experience in any of the fo llowing: basic food safety IJrinciples, crop martagernent, integrated pest n1anagement, postharvest techniques and handling aspects, and environn1ental managerr1ent. 9 .4 The BPI may collaborate with BAFS in training tl1e pool of Monitori11g Inspectors on tl1e provisions of the PNS. 9 .5 The budget for the monitoring and training activities shall be charged to the BPI GAP Program, subject to availability of funds and government accounting rules and regulations. SECTION 10. PhilGAP Program Secretariat. 10.1 The Accreditation and Inspection Sectio11 (AIS) of the BPI-Plant Product Safety Services Division (PPSSD) shall head the PhilGAP Program Secretariat composed of designated BPI-PPSSD personnel. 10.2 The PhilGAP Program Secretariat is tasked to perform the following functior1s: 10.2.1 1'echnical Support 10 .2.1.1 10.2.1.2 10.2.1.3 10.2.1 .4 10.2.1.5 10.2.1.6 10.2.1.7 Assessme11t of submitted applications; Prepare inspection plan; Coordinate vvith the Pl1ilGAP inspectors and relevant agencies or offices during t'he conduct of inspection; Receive arid submit the results of inspections to the PPSSD Division Chief who shall review and submit the same to PhilGAPCC vvitl1 reco1nmendation for possible action; Safe keep all pertinent docu111ents related to PhilGAP certification; Draft official communications and documentations; and Perforn1 otl1er duties that may be assigned from time to tin1e in relation to PhilGAP activities ,. ., , ~~ OF.4G,9 . . bJ ' -· c. -- ••• • • ~-". . '"'c . :I{epu 1c 61 tl1e Pl111tpp1nes fi .~~-: •:;: ~ . · J).eparllnerit. ofAgi·icultnre . . .. fu --··~i~'L ::(:;·- ··· ~ . . OFFIC]'. OF 'fH.E SECRETARY . . . 0 . 1.:1;; :;:r. . . Ellipticaf Road, Dili1i1aii,: Quezoi.1-C{ty., 1101,J?.hillppines . 189~ · . 10.2.2 . . 10.2.2.1 ·. 10.2.2.2 . , -< ' 10. 2 2 ,., . ' ·• . ·' . . , . 10.2.2.3 10.2.2:4 Ao.miriistrative Support . . Responsible for scl1eduling of inspections.; T,ake charge: o.f · booki11g, t1~anspor.tations, · and bt1dget ' preparations; . . . Responsibl'e ' of · . organ~z:e . record keeping and other documentations; . C oordinate jVith the tet.hnical secretariat a:nd management in relation to admirifstrativ~ matte.rs; · . .. Perform .other duties that may be assi gned-from time to . . time in relation,to Phi!G·AP activities . . . . ' ' ' ' SECT! ON 11. Regional Field ·Offi.ce - Regulatory Divisi-on ( RFO-RD·) .. 11.1 · The RFO-RD 1s tasked to perform the following functions:. 11.1.1 Promote and provide assistance to eligible farmers 'in applying for PhilGAP certification; and 11.1.2 Conduct farm p~e~assessment and recommend .:applicants to Region-al Director for endorsementto BPI. · SECTION 12. The BPJ, if deem necessary, shall accredit Thir.d Party to ,conduct Phil GAP inspectio~ and certification. The necessary guidelines will be.issued before · the accredifation. . ARTICLEV PROCEDURES FOR CERTIFitATJON SECTION 13 . . Filing of Application 13.1 · ·The follovving may apply fDr PhilGAP certification: · · . . . a. Individual, including partnerships; · b: Group ( cooperatives, corporations, institutions organizations/ associations) c. Agencies managing demonstratjon farms of government; academic and/ocr research instituti.ons, incl~dihg LGUs . 13.2 Applicants shall submit the following c:locumentary requirements: · · 13.2.1 Individual Farm Application .. . . . ·a. Duly accomplished application form; &. Farm profile; . E. · Farm map or area map and G PS coordinates; if available; . . . ' . ·. 4,· Field operation procedures includi ng the list of fertilizers; pesticides and ·oto:er ag~o:-chemical inputs used; :. · . · . · ·· .··· -· · . · . e:.. Certifi.cate . 'of· training · of tl1e · farm , owp,er or authorii:ed representative on PhilGAP conducted by recognized · institutions by any of the following: ,ATI, BPI, LGtJs; RFOs, SU.Cs or by.ATi-accredited . extension service providers; For internally co-n ducted trainings, · a: record :qr.traini~g sf.ioulq :be provided; . . f. •· Prod'u~.tion · and . h.arvesting . records . . Applicants ,. ~tpplying for . · certificat:Jo11 m:ust' have at least one production · cycle of record or · . three (3') months of.fqrJ:n records. -· . . . , 13.2:2 Group Farmftppiication . . • ., • '. • • • • •• • I • • a. Duly accoi 11plished :,application fottn signed by the·· applicant or de~ignated·rep,resen:tative. A boar.dresolution:sh,oWinij authority to the desig nated. r epresentative to .sign the applicatfon-fortil. in behalf of the -· .. cooperative, corpQration, . insti,tutiori · or organization/assoctation shallb~·attached to the application form;. b. Farm a.nd/o.r organiz,atio11al profile, as applicabl~; · . · ·. '.· : c. Farm map or area map and GPS coordinates, if available; ' · d. Fjeld operatjon pr~eedurE!s including the list of fertilizers and agto . ' . . . : . . .. . .. : . . . . . . . . che•mic al inputs used; ' · . · · · . · · . e. ·cer-ti ficate 'of GAP training of the farmers, condu:cted by any of the foliowing: ATI, BPI, 'LGUs, RFOs, SUCs or by ATI-accredited extension service providers; For internally conducted trainings, a record of training sh,ould be provided; · f Production and ·harvesti~g record s. Applicants applying for certification must h~ve at least one production ··cycle of record or three (3) months offarri:1 records. g: For corporation; Quality Managem~nt System (QMS) or Internal ControLS.ysteni, as applicable · · · h. Certificate· of ·Re'gistration (i.e. SEC, DOLE, CDA) and either re-lated permits (e,g. ECC); as applic~ble; . . . . . . . i. Certificate-for accreditation ofJarmers/growers, !f a·pplicable; and · . . . . . . . . . j. Procedure for outgrowership or contract farming scheme which will show that the company/PMOs/cooperative have 10-0%·conttol of all registered or accredited . grow.ers, (e.g. internal policies on accredi,tation of farmer/grower, sanctior1s; etc.),.if applicable. 13.3 Applicants shall submit their application to the Office .ofth·e DA :Regional Executive l)irectot (RED) .·of t~eir respective regions, which shall be ­ endorsed to the BPI Director through the Program Technic'al Secretariat for evaluation an.d a.ppropriate action. : . · ' 1096 I<.epubiic of Lhe Phiiippines Dep,ut1nent of AgTiculture OFFICE OF THE SECRE"f ARY Elliptical Road, Dilu11ru1, QL1ezon City, 1101, Philippines 13.4 After evaluation, the Progran1 1'echnical Secretariat shall notify the applicant and the PhilGAP inspectors of the inspection plan witl1in ten (10) worl<ing days . SECTION 14. Conduct of Inspection 14 .1 Farrns shall be evaluated using the cl1eclclist based on adopted relevant PNS that spells ot1t the requiren1ents for Pl1ilGAP certification. The same checklist shall be used for farrr1s producing agriculttlral crops intended for don1estic and international marlcets. 14.2 Assessment of the farm must comply witl1 the four ( 4) GAP modules 14.3 A tean1 of multi-disciplinary inspectors, at 1nost three (3) inspectors, shall conduct the inspection based on the guidelines and check:list developed. If applicable, san1ples for heavy metals, microbial and pesticide analysis shall be taken based on appropriate sampling techniqt1es. The applica11t shall provide samples for analysis. The payment of analysis cost is guided by Section 16 Payment of Fees of this Circular. 14.4 The PhilGAP inspectors shall submit the report to the GAP Certification Con1mittee through tl1e Program Tech11ical Secretariat within five ( 5 ) worldng days after the conduct of all necessary inspections, including follow up inspection of non-compliant items. 14.5 'The Program Tecl111ical Secretariat shall notify the applicant and GAP Certification Corr1mittee within five ( 5 ) working days upon receipt of the inspection report and results of la'boratory analysis. SECTION 15. lssuance of Phil GAP Certificate 15 .1 The PhilGAPCC shall convene to act on PhilGAP applications and shall have five ( 5 ) worlcing days to give recommendations to the BPI Director. 15.2 'The BPI Director shall act on the recomn1endatio11 of the PhilGAPCC witl1in five (5) working days. 15 .3 The Program Tech11ical Secretariat, upon receipt of the decision of the BPI Director, shall have five (5) worl<ing days to notify the applicant regarding the status of the certification. 15.4 The BPI Director shall be the signing authority of all Phil GAP certificates. 15.5 1'he Phi1GAP certificate to be issued shall bear tl1e following informatio n: 0 1098 Republic of the Philippines Dep,u·unenl of A&,'Ticu.llure OFJ.i'1CE OF TH.E SECRE'l'ARY Elliptical l:toad, Diliznan, Quezon City, 1101, Philippines a) PhilGAP CertificateNumber; b) Farm identification number; c) Nan1e of the farm/applicant; d) Address of the farm; e) Nan1e of farm/ crop certified, f) Validity period g) Signing authority, and; h) ·rerrr1s and conditions 15.6 For group certificatio11, the issued PhilGAP certificate shall be accon1panied by an Annex showing the list of farmer members, area of far1n and na1ne of produce. 15 .7 Tl1e Phil GAP certification entitles the applicant to use the official mark. 15.8 The applicant shall put up signboards ar1d/or billboards prominently displayed in the PhilGAP Certified Farm with the following specification and information: Size: 1.2 m x 0.9 m Height fron1 the ground: 2 m White baclcground with black letterings PhilGAP Cer tified Farin Na1ne of the Farm: . Farin Identification No .: Name of the Applicant: Location of the Farm: Name of Crops Certified: Area Planted: Validity l)er iod: SECTION 16. Monitoring of Phil GAP Certified Farn1s 16.1 Once a farm is granted with a Pl1ilGAP certificate, it shall be subjected to n1onitoring for compliance at least once or as deerned necessary during the validity of tl1e certificate. 16.2 The frequency of monitorir1g shall be based or1 the inspection and monitoring report. SEC'f!ON 17. Payn1ent of Fees. Application and cost of required analysis for PhilGAP certifica tion shall be free of charge. In cases of non-con1pliance to 1098 lZepublic of lhe P hilippiiies Dep,ut1nenl of Agriculture ()Fl1'1CE O:F' TIJE SECl<.E1'/i.JtY E lliptical Road, D ililn an , Quez.on City, 1101, Philippines sta11dards, subsec1uent cost of laboratory analyses shall be shotlldered by the applicant. SECTION 18. Validity and Renevval of Pl1ilGAP Certificate 18.1 The validit'y period of the certificate is two years (2) from the dat e of issu.ance. 18.2 For renewal applications, the following additional docun1ents shall be r equired: a:: Updated farn1 records in the last two (2) years of operation. b. Updated list of fertilizers and pesticides used; c. Updated farr11 map (showing new areas/expansion of areas), if applicable; a11d d. Revised n1anual of operation, if applicable; 18.3 Application for renewal should be filed not later than three (3) months prior to the expiry date. 18.4 Renewal of certification requires tl1e re-inspection of farn1 based on the PhilGAP guidelines. Inspection shall be conducted within three (3) n1onths prior to the expiry date. 18.5 Inspection for the purpose of renewal of certification shall be conducted preferably during tl1e harvesting season to cover as many points in the checklist as possible. In situatior1s where there is no agricultural crop present at the t i·me when the inspection is due, the BPI may opt to extend the validity of the certificate to 3 n1onths, providing that the applicant has already filed for renewal. ARTJCLJE VI 'PhilGAP Certv.fied' MARK SEC1'ION 19. 'fhe 'PhilGAP Certified' marl< is ar1 official logo witt1 prescribed specifications that shall be used EXCLUSIVELY by a PhilGAP Certified Far111 on the specified crop prodt1ce and/or in tl1eir packaging materials, SEC'fION 20. PhilGAP certified farn1s can use the official mark on letterheads, brochures, and otl1er advertisements and promotional materials. SECTION 21. LJn authorized use of the 'PHILGAP Certified' mark shall be subjected to the r elevant provisions of the Consumer Act of the Philippil1es (Republic Act 7394 of 1991) and Pl1ilippine Pat ent Laws. ARTICLE VII REVOCATION OF Pl1ilGAP CERTIFICATE , , lll96 .R.epubl ic of tl1e Philippines Deparunen! of i-\gricul LLu·e OFFlCE OF TI-IE SEC1<.ET,~lY Ellipbcal Road, Dili:i11m1, Quezon City, 1101, Philippines SECTION 22. Non-con1pliance with the n1ajor provisions of the relevant Philippine Natior1al Standard (PNS) Code of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) or failLt re to comply with any part of the guidelines as shown by the reports of auclit, or reports of investigations of filed complaints (Section 7.2.3) sl1all result in tl1e revocation of the PhilGAP Certificate, including t he privilege of Ltsing the PhilGAP Certified n1ark. SECl"IOI\I 23. Tl1e Pl1 i!GAP Certificat e recipient witl1 valid and justifiable reasons can sul)mit an appeal for reco11sideration. AR'flCLE VIII CO NF!DE!\]TlALlTY SEC'f!ON 24. l11formation on production practices, customer list, complaint log and others, submitted by applicants for approval shall not be released to any party or to the public in general without written permission from the applicant. SEC1'10N 25. Hovvever, tl1e following ge11eral information may be released: a. Name, address and telephone number of the applicant; b. Date of approval; c. Any information to comply with a court order; and d. Any informat ion to comply with a request from the Phi1GAPCC investigating an alleged complaint. ARTICLE IX CONFLICl' OF IT>J'TEREST SECTION 26. All person11el involved in Phil GAP certification with a conflict of interest mL1st mak:e the conflict known a11d not participate in discussions or decisions regarding the applicant under re·view. ARTICLE X APPEAL SEC''flON 27. PL11y person vvl1ose existing GAP CER.'flFICATE has been revoked or vvhose application for a GAP certificate has been denied, may appeal in \A/ ri ting vvi thin fi fteen ( 15) days after receiving tl1e written 11otification of the revocation or denial. 'fhe appeal shall state all the facts and r easo11s L1pon which the appellant bases his appeal vvhich will be acted within sixt.>' (60) days from receipt. ARl'lCLE Xl Flt-JAL PROVISIONS 1 ') Republic of U1e Philippines Deparunent of Agricul11u·e OFirlCE OF 1'RE SECRE1'ARY Elliptical Road, Dilunan, Quezon City, 1101, Philippines 1898 SEC'f!ON 28 : Separability If any provision of tl1is Circular is declared invalid or tlnconstitutional, t11e other pro·visions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. SEC'J' IO N 29 : Effectivity These implementing rules and regulations shall talce effect fifteen (15) y-satter its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. El\1MANUEL . PINOL Secretary ~1/ ~- i\w.\ii DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 11111111 rn 1111118 II! 11 m 11111111111 m 1a nn 11111 nti 11111111 in roplymg pls dtt> this codti : For Signature: S-01 -18-0237 Rocoivod ·. 01/"16120"18 09:25 AM