The first public consultation for the Philippine’s bid for the 2027 IFOAM Organic World Congress was held in Negros Island, presided by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Lacson and Mayor Albee Benitez of Bacolod City under the presence of relevant government departmental heads, IFOAM members, representatives from farmers organizations and like-minded organizations. Edgardo Uychiat, first Vice President and Jennifer Chang the Executive Director of IFOAM-Organics Asia, attended the meeting and explained the history and impacts of former Organic World Congresses(OWCs). Jennifer, as the former coordinator of the 2011 OWC in South Korea, also drew many examples from her personal experience in preparing for the OWC.
Governor Lacson and Honorable Mayor Benitez expressed full support for the bid and a core group has been formed to complete the bid submission by 30th of April. has a long history of organic development and remains the only island that has a resolution in banning GMOs in the Philippines. It has been an active member of the Asian Local Governments for Organic Agriculture (ALGOA) and IFOAM-Organics Asia is also registered in Bacolod since 2019.
