The recently conducted 2021 Online Output Presentation (OOP) last June 28, 29, and 30, 2021 for the provinces of Quirino, Negros Oriental, and Misamis Oriental, respectively, by project staff of the Soil Health Assessment – National Soil Sampling and Testing (SHA-NSST) Project, was successfully participated by 119 online and on-site partners.
This project is being implemented by the Soil Survey Division (SSD) of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM). The activity is the culmination of its Phase V implementation which is focused on selected corn-producing areas of the said provinces. The presentation was attended by partners from Regions 2, 7, and 10 of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Offices (DA-RFO), Provincial and Municipal Local Government Units, through the Offices of the Provincial and Municipal Agriculturist, and some employees from the BSWM.
Highlights of the event include the ceremonial map turnover to the six (6) municipalities of the Province of Quirino by DA-RFO II, the engaging open forum discussion with the participants from the Province of Negros Oriental, and the virtual acceptance of outputs of officials from the DA-RFO 10.
The 3-day online activity was hosted by Ms. Eloisa Santiago, Science Research Analyst I, and facilitated by SHA-NSST project staff in Quezon City and those on-travel at Cervantes, Ilocos Sur. Present throughout the activity was the BSWM Director, Engr. Pablo M. Montalla and SSD Chief, Mr. Dominciano D. Ramos, Jr., both concluded the activity with their messages of appreciation to partners present.
The core of the program was the presentation and explanation of the results by the respective field implementation team leaders for each province, and the elaboration of the use of the Fertilizer Guide by Ms. Beatriz C. Magno, Supervising Agriculturist of the Laboratory Services Division (LSD) of BSWM. The presentation for the province of Quirino by Ms. Sharon G. De Vera, also the project focal of SHA-NSST, concluded that the inherent soil characteristic of sampled areas in Quirino, besides the climatic and production factors, contributed to the impoverished soil condition of the corn-producing areas in the province. Recommended interventions were then mentioned to augment the deficiencies. Ms. Bella H. Noceda presented the findings for the Province of Negros Oriental while on an official travel in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur. She highlighted in her presentation that despite challenges during the field implementation, the team was able to triumph thus producing the result matrices for each municipality they were able to visit. She concluded her presentation by highlighting that deficiencies and other issues of Negros Oriental corn-producing areas can be improved through several interventions using organic and inorganic fertilization and improved management practices such as waste recycling. As for the Province of Misamis Oriental, Ms. Noemi M. Pascua complimented the staff from the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRO) who have carried out the field survey and soil sampling despite the travel restrictions and strict health protocols. Based on the analysis of samples submitted, Ms. Pascua shared her conclusion that corn-producing areas of Misamis Oriental are generally in moderate fertility and issues of deficiency can be addressed by having interventions that would promote nutrient replenishment such as implementing a balanced fertilization scheme.
Assisting the team leaders in the preparation of presentations were project staff, Ms. Kristel M. Bagaua, Mr. Norman A. Apura, and Ms. Carla Joy E. Cabuhay for the provinces of Quirino, Negros Oriental, and Misamis Oriental, respectively. The presentation materials can be viewed by participants in the Google Site Activity Page developed by project staff, Mr. Norman A. Apura and Ms. Maria Ivana Kay M. Abrigo.
The ceremonial map turnover for the province of Quirino was held in the DA – Quirino Experimental Station (QES) and was hosted on-site by Ms. Donna Aura G. Calibuyut, Agriculturist II of the DA-RFO 2 – Regional Soils Laboratory (RSL). The activity was spearheaded by Dr. Gerly T. Zulueta, Chief of Integrated Laboratory Division, Ms. Fevie Rica Ancheta, Chief of the Regional Soils Laboratory, Ms. Sarah B. Aquino, Chief of Ilagan Soils Laboratory, and Mr. Fidelino R. Cabantac, OIC Station Chief of DA-QES. Recipient of the Provincial Map was Ms. Florence C. Mangoba, OIC-Provincial Agriculturist and Dr. Jo Danice Q. Bicos, Provincial Corn Coordinator while recipients of the municipal maps were representatives from the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist. Concluding the event were messages of support and gratitude from Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua and Regional Executive Director Narciso A. Edillo.
The engaging discussion between the presenters, the participants, and the technical experts from SSD highlighted the OOP for the Province of Negros Oriental. Inquiries on the fertilizer guide and its possible expansion to other valuable crops of the province became an avenue exploring future engagements of the LGUs with BSWM. Although faced with limitations by the online setup, the discussion encouraged the participants to take the initial necessary steps recommended by the experts that could contribute to the attainment of their goal. Governor Roel R. Degamo took the opportunity during the open forum discussion to address the need for a methodical approach where the local and the national government will create a plan that would benefit both parties. He also thanked the BSWM for the presentation because he believes this would create an impact in the future work plans for the agriculture sector of Negros Oriental.
The virtual acceptance of project outputs of the DA-RFO 10 was witnessed online by partners from the Province of Misamis Oriental. Receiving the outputs on-site were DA-RFO 10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, Regional Soils Laboratory Chief Engr. Elena C. Susaya, DA-RFO 10 Division Chiefs, and Water Management Development Officer I Mr. Rogelio P. Cume, Jr. Messages of gratitude and support were also delivered by Mr. Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, the Provincial Agriculturist on behalf of Governor Yevgeny Vicente B. Emano and RED Collado.
