The Senate in the Philippines has approved a bill recognizing Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) and amending the current legal framework for organic agriculture in the country. PGS are locally focused quality assurance systems of organic products certification which small farmers can afford, and which provides access to healthy and safe farm products. As an alternative to third-party certification, the PGS plays a vital role in rural development and farmer empowerment through active engagement of farmers in the whole process of verification, decision making, and marketing. PGS is built on the trust and integrity of farmers and consumers who conduct the certification process themselves through adherence to certification standards, guidelines, regulation, and processes, similarly observed by third-party certification.