PH SOIL PARTNERSHIP LAUNCHED

In order to protect soil resources, different government institutions launched the Philippine Soil Partnership (PSP) that seeks to promote sustainable soil management

The Department of Agriculture (DA), thru the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) and with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched the Philippine Soil Partnership (PSP) during the celebration of the World Soil Day on December 5, 2018.

The PSP aims to improve soil governance at the national level to encourage partner institutions to act together in order to protect and preserve the limited soil resources of the country. It also seeks to promote sustainable soil management, which envisions healthy and productive soils for the country.

Incongruous presence of chemical substance at a higher than normal concentrate level has effects on non-targeted organism.

This poses serious threat to food security and safety, causes groundwater contamination, loss of soil biodiversity, and risk to human health.

“At present, we don’t have national assessment on soil pollution and researches on how to mitigate these chemicals that may cause soil pollution, and so we have to act together to address this,” BSWM OIC-Director Angel Enriquez said.

The celebration was attended by representatives from DA regional field units, other national government agencies, civil society organizations, academic institutions, students from nearby schools and other private sectors.

Thru the creation of PSP, BSWM will promote sustainable management of soil resources for soil protection, conservation and sustainable activity; encourage investment, technical cooperation, policy, education awareness and extension in soils; promote targeted soil research and development focusing on identified gaps and priorities and synergies with related productive, environmental and social development actions; enhance the quantity and quality of soil data and information thru data collection (generation), analysis, validation, reporting, monitoring, and integration with other disciplines; and harmonize methods, measurements and indicators for the sustainable management and protection of soil resources. /

PHOTO BY TOTO LOZANO/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visits one of the food stalls during the Department of Tourism's Food and Travel Festival dubbed ‘Kaon Ta!' held at the Abreeza Mall in Davao City on December 7, 2018. Also in the photo are Ayala Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jaime Zobel de Ayala and Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat