Manila, Feb. 19 -- Farms in Bicol certified by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) as compliant with Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) have reached 221, the agency reported Thursday.

Lovella Guarin, DA-Bicol spokesperson, said PhilGAP ensures safe and high-quality agricultural products while complying with food safety, environmental management, and worker health standards under the Food Safety Act of 2013.

"It is important that farms are certified by PhilGAP since it gives benefits to the farmers with higher income as mas maganda ang kalidad ng ani (produce with a better quality), provides a market advantage, and opens up opportunities for high income for farmers," Guarin said in a phone interv...