Second Quarter Issue - Bureau of Soils and Water Management

BSWM Observes
World Day to Combat
Desertification
Volume 2, Issue 2
Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City
BUREAU OF SOILS AND WATER MANAGEMENT
BSWM UPDATE
THE SOIL IS THE FOUNDATION OF AGRICULTURE
April-June 2009
tion of Engr. SamIn
uel
Contreras,
the
obserChief of the Soil
vance of the
Conservation and
World Day to
Management DiviCombat Desion about the
sertification
proposed frameand as the
work and outline
Philippine
of the updated
Focal Agency
Philippine NAP.
of the United
He emphasized the
Nations Conneed to align the
vention
to
Philippine
NAP
Combat Dedevelopment
sertification
framework
with
(UNCCD), the
the UNCCD’s ten
Bureau
of
year strategic plan
Soils and Wato mitigate the
ter Managenegative impacts
ment (BSWM)
of desertification
spearheaded
and land degradathe conduct of
tion.
the initial conDr. Rogelio
sultation for Director Rudy M. Guieb of the Field Operations Service delivering the the updating speech of Secretary Arthur C. Yap during the celebration of the World N. Concepcion, a
consultant of the
of the Philip- Day to Combat Desertification at the Lopez Hall. National
Antipine National
the BSWM’s Client Center (see
Poverty Commision, and Dr.
Action Plan (NAP) to Combat
related story on page 2).
Candido A. Cabrido Jr., Dean of
Desertification, Land DegraBefore the workshop
the UP School of Urban and
dation, Drought and Poverty
proper,
Assistant
Director
Regional Planning in Diliman,
on June 17, 2009.
Wilfredo E. Cabezon provided
reviewed and evaluated the
Alongside this consulan overview about the Philipoverall soundness of the protation workshop was the presenpine commitment to UNCCD as
posed framework in comparison
tation of Mr. Rodelio B. Caratwell as the implementation
to the framework of the original
ing on Land Degradation Asstatus of the programs and proNAP. Both of them pointed out
sessment using FAO-LADA
jects in the original NAP. This
approach and the inauguration
was followed by the presenta(Continued on page 5)
of UNCCD’s Photo Exhibit and
Soil Con Hosts 58th
Anniversary
The Soil Conservation Division hosted
the 58th Founding Anniversary of the Bureau of
Soils and Water Management with this year’s
theme: “Lupa at Tubig Pagyamanin, Para
Makamit Sapat na Pagkain,” held last June 5,
2009 at the Lopez Hall of the SoilSearch Building.
“For 58 years, BSWM has been at the
forefront of Philippine Agricultural development
and national food security. I congratulate the
men and women of the Bureau not merely for
marking yet another anniversary, but also for the
part they play in the nation’s bid for sustained
socio-economic progress,” remarked Department
of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Clayton A.
Olalia as he delivered the inspirational message
of Secretary Atty. Arthur C. Yap. He also cited
that through the past six decades, the Filipino
farmer has relied on the bureau’s hard work and
Assistant Secretary Clayton A. Olalia delivers the message of Secretary Yap during the 58th BSWM Anniversary. dedication to acquire and enhance technologies to
preserve the productive capacity of our soil and water
resources.
(Continued on page 10)
Page 2
BSWM Update
BSWM Inaugurates
Client’s Center
In compliance to Republic Act (RA) #9485 otherwise known
as the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, the BSWM officially opened its
ONE STOP SHOP named “BSWM CLIENT’S CENTER” (BSWMCC) last June 17, 2009.
The BSWMCC was designed as the central hub of BSWM
information, technologies, goods and services. All visitors and clienteles
shall be accommodated and assisted here, thus, minimize longer transactions and avoid loitering of unauthorized individuals within the BSWM
premises. Products include various types of maps, technical reports pertaining to sustainable land management and Soil Test Kits. There are
other products available like Tricho and soil inoculants from the Biological Production Section as well as pure cultures, mushroom spawn etc.
from from the Soil Biology Section. Clients desiring to avail of services
like laboratory analysis of soil, water, and plant tissue samples, preparation of relief map models, conduct of soil survey and mapping, land resources inventory, and land reclassification should also come to the Client
Center.
Training for Frontline Information Desk Officers
A training for Frontline Information Desk Officers (FIDOs)
was conducted last May 7 and 8 at the BSWM Lecture Room 1. The activity was still in compliance to the requirement of the Anti-Red Tape Act
of 2007.
A total of 50 personnel from the technical divisions and administrative units participated in the training which aimed to provide knowledge to the participants the fundamentals of Anti-Red Tape Act as well as
The Client Center and the Soil Museum was formally opened on June 17 with Director Rudy Guieb and FAO Assistant Representative Aris Portugal doing the Ceremonial ribbon cutting. the key services, products and information being offered by the Bureau.
Mr. Rodelio B. Carating presented the Flowchart of transactions of the different divisions and units. Validation was also done
in consultation with the participants in order to review transaction
procedures and conduits to minimize time and effort on the part of
the clienteles.
Janet Operario
Maria Angelita Esguerra
ISRIS launches BSWM Mail System
No less than Director Silvino Q.
Tejada graced the soft-launching of our
BSWM Mail System which was spear-
headed by the Integrated Soil Resources
Information Systems (ISRIS) Group last
April 17, 2009 at the BSWM Convention
Hall. Representatives from different Divisions, Service Groups and Research Centers participated in the event.
The BSWM Mail System is the
official e-mail system of the BSWM family
using the agency’s registered domain name:
bswm.da.gov.ph. It can be accessed through
(a)BSWM LAN by using MS Outlook as
mail client or (b)internet by typing the following URL from your browser:
mail.bswm.da.gov.ph or https://
bswm.da.gov.ph.
The Mail System provides an email address to each BSWM employee with
the following features: mail box capacity of
500MB, maximum sending message size of
15MB including attachment, maximum receiving message size of 15MB, and maximum recipients of 100 per message sending.
Guidelines on using the BSWM
Mail were also given by the ISRIS Group to
ensure mail security and reliability during the
launching.
Director Silvino Q. Tejada speaks before employees for the launching of the BSWM Mail System. The BSWM Mail System is another pioneering activity of BSWM towards
IT utilization.
ISRIS Group
ALMED completes
Sampaloc technical
report
The Agricultural Land Mangement and Evaluation Division (ALMED) staff presented the final
technical report of the project entitled “SOIL/
LAND RESOURCES EVALUATION STUDY
AND SAFDZ-CLUP INTEGRATION” to the
Local Government Unit of Sampaloc, Quezon last
June 11, 2009 at the Sangguniang Bayan Hall of
the Sampaloc Municipal Hall. This study was
based on approved Sangguniang Bayan Resolution
number 2008 – 88 by the presiding officer and
Hon. Vice Mayor Zosimo O. Dator Jr. and Hon.
Mayor Emmanuel S. Torres.
The project aims to provide and generate comprehensive set of soil and land resources information as basis necessary for agriculture, agroforestry and other environmentally sound land use
planning development conceived by the municipal
government.
The methodology is based on geomorphology,
landform, and soil classification of fourteen barangays namely Alupay, Apasan, Banot, Bataan,
Bayongon, Bilucao, Caldong, Ibabang Owain,
Ilayang Owain, Mamala, San Bueno, San Isidro,
San Roque and Taquico. Sampaloc has a total area
of 10,478 hectares or about 1.2% of the province.
The technical report output includes tabulated
data for suitability classes, which will serve as
guide and input for project planning, policy decision making for sustainable agriculture, agroforestry and forest development and thematic maps
of Soil, Soil Fertility, Slope, Erosion, Land use,
Land limitation, flooding, refocused SAFDZ and
Agri-investment opportunity map.
Andy Evangelista
April - June 2009
Page 3
Marcia, Allag cop best paper award
Ms. Angelita Marcia and Ms. Digna Allag took the best paper award with their study
on “The Production of Vermicompost from Various Biodegradable Waste Materials and its
Utilization for Vegetable Production” in the 2009 BSWM Annual Research and Development
Review and Evaluation last May 8, 2009 at the Lopez Hall.
Their paper was among the five studies selected to be presented on the said event
based on the results from the Soil and Water Resources Research Division (SWRRD) Pre-inhouse Review last April 24, 2009. “The Use of Animal Manure and Other Indigenous Resources
to Improve Agricultural Production and Conserve the Environment” by Ms. Marcelina Palis,
Amy O. Yambot, Jacqueline S. Rojales, Celso R. Bersabe, Elvira B. Bayalas and Alma J. Gonzales garnered the second place while the third place went to Dr. Edna Samar and Roosebelt
Creencia’s study on “The Comparative Study on the Impacts of Organic Fertilizer Application
on Contour Farming in An Ultisol.”
Evaluators, who also served as the panel of judges, were Dr. Eduardo Paningbatan
from University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB); Dr. Apolonio Ocampo of the Institute
of Plant Breeding (IPB); Mr. Rodolfo Ilao from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry
and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD); Dr. Danilo Mendoza of the
National Institute of Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology; and Mr. Ric Castro and Mr.
Patrick Cabrera from the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR).
Assistant Director Wilfredo E. Cabezon delivered a message on behalf of the BSWM
management commending the researchers and all other participants for sustaining the passion on
research undertakings. He also emphasized that the bureau plays an important role particularly
in conducting the research studies for future upland development towards the direction of organic agriculture.
The event was a continuing activity of the SWRRD aimed at evaluating the research
and development studies being undertaken by the Bureau.
Jenny Anne L. Perlado
Soil Survey Division sets off Nasugbu SFM
The Soil Fertility Mapping of
Nasugbu, Batangas started its initial
phase with a briefing attended by selected local government officials, barangay captains with their committee chairman on agriculture and staff of the municipal agriculture office last April 13,
2009 at the Nasugbu Municipal Hall.
Soil Survey Division Chief
Engr. Gregorio P. Antolin Jr. led the
inauguration of the project which is to
be implemented on a cost-sharing
scheme by and between the local government unit headed by
Mayor Antonio A. Barcelon and the Bureau of
Soils and Water Management.
planted five times in two years because
of the abundant irrigation water from its
watershed. Vegetables and other crops
like sweet potato, cassava and corn are
planted on sloping areas of Barangays
Kaylaway, Aga and Kayrilao.
Nasugbu is home to some of
the country’s world class beach resorts
and vacation residences such as the Canyon Cove, Terrazas de Punta Fuego,
Munting Buhangin and Hamilo Coast.
Eugene Briones
The total land
area of Nasugbu is
27,000 hectares but with
just a small area devoted
for rice lands. The target
survey area is about two
thousand hectares
(2,000 has.) of which
about one thousand hectares are irrigated, 600
hectares are rainfed and
the rest are upland. IrriThe Soil Survey Division personnel supervising the surveying gated areas are being
activities of the Soil Fertility Mapping of Nasugbu. BSWM Conducts 2010
Planning and Budget
Workshop
In response to the possible
move from Organizational Performance Indicator Framework (OPIF) to
Results Based Management (RBM)
framework in the government’s planning and budgeting system, a two-day
Planning and Budget Workshop was
conducted on April 02-03, 2009 at the
BSWM Convention Hall. It was attended by all Division and Center
Chiefs and the Planning Officer of
each division.
The workshop is a start-up activity to ensure that the Bureau’s programs and projects (PAPs) are harmonized, complementary and are in line
with the DA and the whole national government’s thrusts should the RBM
Framework is implemented. The primary objectives of the workshop were to
review the Major Final Outputs (MFOs)
and the Performance Indicators (PIs) the
Bureau is currently adopting and to
come up with the BSWM five year Strategic Plan (2010-2015).
Dr. Silvino Q. Tejada, BSWM
Executive Director commended the efforts of the Planning and Evaluation
(P&E) Group headed by Mr. Rodelio
Carating in organizing the activity. In
his message, he articulated his full support to the P&E Group endeavor to
strengthen the planning and budgeting
system of BSWM. He also encouraged
all participants to extend their utmost
cooperation to the P&E Group.
The workshop highlights include the background presentation of the
OPI and RBM Frameworks by Mr.
Carating and the presentation of workshop outputs per cluster. Aside from Mr.
Carating, Ms. Elsie Balagtas, BSWM
Budget Officer acted as one of the main
panelists during the open forum.
In closing, Mr. Carating
thanked all the participants and gave
instructions to all clusters to incorporate
the key points raised during the open
forum in the finalization of the MFOs
and PIs. The final MFOs and POs shall
be adopted starting 2010.
Sharon de Vera
Page 4
Agri-K conducts
Q1 Assessment
Workshop
The Support System for TipidAbono Fertilization “Agri-Kalikasan”
Program funded under the RP-Japan
Increased Food Production Grant (2KR)
conducted its 1st Quarter Review, Assessment, and Planning Workshop at
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan last April
27-30, 2009. The workshop was participated by all the Soil and Water Area
Coordinators (SWACs), Agri-Kalikasan
Technical Secretariat Head Ms. Mercedes S. Fernando and staff, Dr. Lauro
G. Hernandez, and other BSWM personnel.
The Provincial Agriculturist of
Palawan, Engr. Teresita Guian gave a
brief welcome address and encouraged
the participants to enjoy the sceneries of
the province. In behalf of Dr. Silvino Q.
Tejada, Dr. Hernandez gave a message
and spoke of the relevance of the workshop to come up with a comprehensive
and updated assessment of the Program.
Ms. Feriola Serrano led the presentation
with the Socio-economic impact and
assessment of the Program, and followed by presentations of each of the
SWACs.
BSWM Update
Trains Locals On Vermi-Composting
Agrikalikasan Launches Organic
Fertilizer Production Plant
The provincial local government
unit and the Department of Agriculture and
Fisheries - Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao in coordination with the BSWM
conducted a three day hands-on-training on
vermi-composting and launched the organic
fertilizer production plant at Ragayan National High School compound at the Municipality of Poona Bayabao last April 23, 2009.
Agrikalikasan program coordinator
Abdulsalam S. Batao, Center Chief for the
Province of Lanao del Sur, said the training
aims to enhance the participants’ knowledge
in composting utilizing biodegradable wastes
through application of Trichoderma harLocals are being trained by BSWM Laboratory zianum, a compost fungus activator (CFA).
The three day training was high- personnel on Trichoderma preparation. lighted with series of lectures/discussions on
compost production, Trichoderma preparation, Soil Test Kits and vermi composting technology.
The speaker/lecturers were Leovenilda Fernandez, Josephine Nana, Abulsalam Batao and Gamal V. Mamangcao from DSAC-NASSA CBCP Balo-I, Lanao del Norte.
The activity gathered more than 50 persons coming from six municipalities of Lanao
del Sur. Other highlights were the hands-on uses of shredder machines and vermin-composting
procedures.
Mayor Lampa I. Pandi, of Poona
Bayabao in his message stressed that the
organic based program agrikalikasan is one
of the key component on the full implementation of agricultural programs that makes
use of organic fertilizer as the government
intervention on the continuously increasing
price of oil based fertilizers.
Teodoro R. Bersabe
SWAC, DAF ARMM
and staff was conducted last June 09,
2009 at the BSWM Lecture Room 2.
Topics regarding the socioeconomic impact assessment of the program was tackled, the report preparation
for the Field Demonstration of Different
Organic Trials under the Agri-Kalikasan
Program, and the scheme of distribution
of the Composting Facility technology
package to the Luzon area.
Maria Luisa C. Tabing
The salient points that were
tackled during the said workshop include the status and progress of the activities under the Agri-Kalikasan Program, and the validation of proposed
implementation areas under the new
project of BSWM, the Organic Fertilizer
Production Project. The output of the
workshop was the overall program assessment, the constraints being encountered, the data that needs to be taken,
and the compromise of each SWAC to
fast track all data gathering and report
preparation.
As a follow-up for the workshop held in Palawan last April, a meeting involving all the SWACs, the socioeconomic survey team, and the AgriKalikasan Technical Secretariat head
Participants readies their reports during the workshop. (Top Left) Dr. Lauro G. Hernan‐
dez handing certificates together with Ms. Mercedes Fernando. April - June 2009
Page 5
BSWM Observes...
(Continued from page 1)
the need to examine comprehensively the
gaps, issues, and constraints encountered in
the implementation of Philippine NAP 20042010) and address these in the updated Philippine Nap (2008-2018). They also suggested determining specific problem areas
where resources could be directed to achieve
significant results or improvements.
This consultation workshop is a
first in the series of workshops that will be
conducted in the next two months. To kick
off the updating process, 26 stakeholders
from the national government, regional government, academe and NGOs participated in
the actual consultative workshop. The workshop was divided into three sessions with the
following objectives: a) to validate/ solicit
inputs on past, current/ continuing efforts
related to Phil NAP (2004-2010) and b) to
generate commitments of stakeholders in the
preparation and implementation of Phil NAP
(2008-2018). Based on the outputs generated
from the workshop, these objectives were
met successfully.
Karen Salandanan
SCMD Celebrates June
as “Soil Conservation
Month”
In the celebration of June as Soil Conservation Month, the Soil Conservation and Management Division (SCMD), prepared various
activities that began June 1, 2009.
PHOTO EXHIBIT
Photos of soil and water conservation
technologies to highly disturbed soils and surface
mining activities were exhibited at Soil Museum in
observance of the United Nations Convention to
Combat Desertification (UNCCD) activity of the
Bureau of Soils and Water Management.
TREE PLANTING
Tree planting was conducted on June
30, 2009 at the National Soil and Water Resources
Research Station, San Ildefonso, Bulacan. About
180 seedlings of fruit-bearing trees (grafted mango
and calamansi) and 200 mahogany seedlings were
planted in approximately four to five hectares of
land. BSWM employees coming from different
divisions volunteered in this endeavor with the
objective of rehabilitating the degraded watershed.
Planting materials were provided by DA-RFU III
and the Provincial Government of Bulacan.
GUIDED FARM
Aside from the existing Guided Farm
Projects in the province of Bataan and Bulacan
being monitored and supervised by the SCMD,
about ten sites in the province of Abra and five
sites in the island of Bohol are being planned for
establishment as requested by various NGOs and
LGUs. The project is aimed to protect and nurture
our upland ecosystems by planting varieties of
fruit-bearing trees as hedgerow crops and planting
vegetables and annual crops in the alley areas in
support of the food sufficiency program of the
Department of Agriculture.
SCMD Staff
OFSP Phase I Conducts Farmers’
Field Day in Six Provinces
As a culminating activity of the
Organic Fields Support Program (OFSP):
Phase I, Farmers’ Field Days were carried
out in six provinces from March-May 2009:
Alaminos City, Pangasinan (March 31);
Guimba, Nueva Ecija (May 29); Samal and
Dinalupihan, Bataan (April 18); Naujan,
Oriental Mindoro (April 18); Baao, Camarines Sur (April 28) and Tabaco City, Albay
(April 17). Spearheaded by the Philippine
Rural Reconstruction Movement in cooperation with the Bureau of Soils and Water
Management (BSWM), one of the highlights
of the Field Day was the graduation of a total
of 654 farmers marking the completion of
their season-long training on organic rice
production, nature farming and organic fertilizer production technologies. Present during
the graduation ceremony were officials from
BSWM, PRRM, local government and other
partner NGOs in the project sites who
handed over the certificate of training completion to farmer-trainees.
Another major activity of the Field Day was
the crop cut/harvesting of rice grown under
pure organic and conventional production
systems in the Learning Farms. Guided by
BSWM staff on proper sampling strategy,
farmers harvested the crop cut area and
measured the grain yield and biomass. Likewise, a Focus Group Discussion was also
conducted to give farmers an opportunity to
share their enhanced knowledge and lessons
learned from the season-long training and
actual hands-on experience on organic rice
production in learning farms.
The OFSP Phase I, a partnership
between DA, BSWM and NGOs within the
Go Organic Philippines Network, sought to
generate awareness and broad support on
pure organic farming and to train and enhance the capabilities of farmers on sustainable agriculture production systems. The
project was officially completed in May
2009.
Karen Salandanan
ISRIS Staff attend the ESRI Asia-Pacific
User Conference 2009
The Environmental Systems
Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI), a US-based
company focused on producing GIS
products, sponsored the participation of
three ISRIS Staff to this year’s Asia Pacific
User Conference in Singapore held on 1923 January 2009.
Together with more than 300
participants from the Asia Pacific Region,
the ISRIS contingent composed of Ms.
Juliet Manguerra, Mr. Andrew Flores and
Mr. Irvin Samalca explored GIS technology,
shared technical knowledge and learned
about the latest technical updates from
ESRI, as well as the best practices in the
GIS industry.
ISRIS Group
ISRIS Staff at Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre. Page 6
BSWM Update
ROOFTOP GARDENING
Living in the city or
in a high-rise building and
looking for a way to grow
fresh vegetables, herbs and
ornamentals but have limited space? Try rooftop
gardening!
Rooftop gardening is an alternative faming system of producing
various crops such as vegetables, ornamentals, medicinal plants, herbs and
spices in an urban setting where growing space is usually a problem. Unused
rooftops can be an excellent area for
growing your own ornamental plants,
herbs and vegetables.
The Soil and Water Resources
Research Division is promoting urban
agriculture, BSWM style - through its
rooftop gardening techno demo project
established in the greenhouse area located at the 4th floor of the BSWM
building in Quezon City.
The project serves as a show
window for visiting students, farmers
and researchers alike on how to effectively raise healthy food in the city.
Techniques being showcased in the
BSWM rooftop garden are simple yet
effective; and can be adapted to most
city dwellings. These include raising
fresh, organic vegetables and herbs, and
ornamentals in recyclable clay
pots, plastic pails and styrofoam
crates.
Recyclable plastic bottles are
also used
as decorative
hanging
containers for
vegetables and
creeping ornamentals.
BSWM STYLE
Unused rooftops can be an
excellent area for growing
your own ornamental plants,
herbs and vegetables.
There are also demonstration areas for value- added tech-
Herbs, ornamentals and vegetables can be grown in recyclable styrofoam containers. April - June 2009
Page 7
Value‐added technologies on vermicomposting and mushroom production provide the necessary materials for organic fertiliza‐
tion of crops in the BSWM rooftop garden. nologies such as
vermicomposting
and
mushroom
production using
different agricultural wastes as
substrates.
Organic fertilization
is encouraged by
using spent mushroom substrates
and vermicasts as
fertilizers
for
vegetables, herbs
and ornamentals
growing in the
rooftop garden.
The project serves as a
show window for visiting
students, farmers and
researchers alike on how
to effectively raise
healthy food in the city.
high value commercial crop, was used as
the first test crop.
Since growing your own vegetables seems to be the best way in assuring that what you eat is safe and
healthy, visitors can learn a thing or two
when they visit the BSWM rooftop garden. Who knows? Maybe someday, taking a breath of fresh air will not necessarily mean taking a walk in the park,
but going upstairs and enjoying it right
at your very own rooftop garden!
Jacqueline S. Rojales
Senior Agriculturist
The drip
irrigation and hydroponics technologies
were established in the area as an added
feature to promote water - saving technologies for vegetable production in
the urban setting. Drip irrigation aims to
promote efficient use of water in growing vegetables and other crops. Hydroponics, popularly known as “soilless
culture,” involves exposing plant roots
directly to a nutrient solution. Lettuce, a
Drip irrigation and hydroponics were integrated in the vegetable production areas to promote water‐saving technologies. Page 8
BSWM Update
Ramat introduces modified
carbonized rice hull (CRH)
production facility
“I was staring at a mound of rice hull and I was thinking of the huge 4.5 metric tons of
it thrown as agricultural waste every year. If only I could convert it into something
useful.”
This was how Dr. Ireneo B. Ramat came up with the Modified Carbonized Rice Hull
(CRH) production facility.
We sat down with an interview with Dr. Ramat about his latest breakthrough, solving
problems of accumulated wastes, utilizing recycled materials and modifying the techniques of carbonizing.
What was going through your mind when you were conceptualizing this facility?
As what I’ve said, I am fond of recycling wastes and caring for the environment.
What materials did you use for this?
First of course, you will need rice hull, 25-30 sacks. You
will also be going to make an improvised chimney or the
carbonizer made out of a steel drum cut into half, a G.I.
pipe, three to four inches in diameter and a length of 48
inches. Punch the drum with 100 holes equally distributed around it. Make sure that the chimney has perforation at its base. A carbonizing area with a diameter of 3
meters is also important.
How about the budget?
For the materials, these are all recyclables. I just paid
for the services of the workers that build the carbonizing
area, few hollow blocks and a sack of cement. My estimate is roughly around 800-1000 pesos.
Can you show us how to make the CRH?
Sure. Here, first you have to make a fire out of wood or
any combustible materials to the chimney in an upright
position. Then cover the fire with the carbonizer. The
rice hull will then be placed around the carbonizer until
it reaches the top of the steel drum or at a height of one
meter.
For how many hours will you burn the rice hull?
Four to five hours, the top of the pile will turn black. You
have to pour water to extinguish the smoke and lower the
temperature. Remember not to over burn
the rice hull as it will become white ash.
That easy?
Yes. Just allow them to cool completely.
Bag, seal and stock them in a safe, dry
place.
For what purposes do you intend to
use this CRH?
CRH is a good moisture absorbent material that can absorb water up to twice
its weight. It also acts as soil conditioner with 40-60 sacks for every hectare of land and can be used in the production of organic fertilizers. For plant
propagation, it is a good base material
for soilless medium and prevents snail
infestation. It is also an effective litter
medium for poultry and medium for microorganisms. Plus, it can be used as
charcoal for fuel, as pest control agent,
a smudging agent and as medicine for
diarrhea.
Are you planning to commercialize
this?
(Flashes a wide grin), Maybe.
*Dr. Ramat is the Supervising Agriculturist and Head of the Soil Fertility and
Fertilizer Section of the Soil and Water
Resources Research Division.
April - June 2009
Page 9
Field Stories:
Nueva Ecija goes full blast on MRC
Known as the “Rice Granary of the
Philippines,” the Province of Nueva Ecija
has consistently bested all other rice producing provinces in terms of total production
and yield. In spite of this, the leading rice
producer does not rest on its laurel as it continuously formulate and implement relevant
rice development programs to enhance rice
farming productivity and profitability.
In a move to further improve the
local rice industry, the Nueva Ecija Provincial Agriculture Office devised an integrated
production support program for the 2nd Cropping Season 2008-2009. The local rice program was fashioned after the FIELDS Program of the Department of Agriculture. It is
called “Ani ng Masaganang Uhay” or
“AMU” after the initials of Gov. Aurelio
Participation of various groups in the AMU Program (Nueva Ecija FIELDS Program)
Component
Group/Entity
Contribution
F-ertilizer
BSWM
Modified Rapid Composting Technology
Provision of water delivery schedules for cropping
I-rrigation
NIA
calendar
E-xtension
L-oans
D-ryers
S-eeds
ATI
Philrice
LGU
Coop Bank of Nueva Ecija
BPRE
seed companies
NFA
PLGU, DA RFU III
Matias Umali, but it is also referred to as the
Barangay Rice Technology Demonstration
Project.
planning to ensure availability of irrigation water
Trainers' Training
Palay Check System, rice production technology
FFS, training of farmers
Provision of production loans
Provision of flatbed dryers
Ensure availability of quality hybrid seeds
Procurement of produce
Coordination and integration of resources
Vermi-Composting in Dalwangan
One of the main programs of the government thru the Department of Agriculture is organic fertilization and one source of this is vermi-composting.
In support to this program, the National Highland Soil and Water Resources
Research and Demonstration Center in Dalwangan, Bukidnon constructed vermi
shades with nipa roofing and concrete beds. Station personnel aim to produce a crop
specific vermi-cast. This is to cater the nutrient requirements of a specific crop, leafy
vegetables in particular since leafy vegetables are easily grown in the station. This
project activity aims to establish/determine the relationship between the substrate used
to the organic nutrient content of the vermi-cast.
The project makes use of the available materials in the station like corn cobs,
farm wastes, weeds and leguminous leaves of trees. To date, the project is still in the
pre-decomposition process of the substrate. Trichoderma is applied to hasten the process of pre-decomposition. Vermi is expected to be introduced in the substrate by middle of July.
Station personnel are hoping for a positive result of the on-going project. Collected vermi-cast will then be subject for analysis for nutrient content.
Gemma Vacalares
Vermi shades are being put up in Dalwangan to produce specific vermi cast. Farmers inspect their palay during the MRC harvest festival at Brgy. Baluga, Talavera, Nueva Ecija. The AMU program recognizes that
development is not the exclusive domain of a
single entity. Hence, a number of organizations including national government agencies, local government units and the private
sector are involve in the program planning
and implementation. The entry point of the
local FIELDS Program is a soft production
loan provided by the Cooperative Bank of
Nueva Ecija to cover inputs like seeds, fertilizers and others. To ensure satisfactory yield
for farmers participating in the project, the
adoption of proven rice technologies was a
condition for the soft loan. Related to this,
the Modified Rapid Composting Technology
(MRC), which is promoted nationwide by
the Bureau of Soils and Water Management,
is a major technology component of AMU.
Thus, farmers who are burning their rice
straws are not eligible for participation in the
program. In fact, several municipalities have
enacted local ordinances banning rice straw
burning because local officials have become
aware of the benefits of composting. The
MRC technology was promoted to lessen the
dependence of farmers to chemical fertilizers, improve farmers’ profit, and ameliorate
the natural balance of rice soils. Other conditions imposed by the AMU program are the
use of hybrid seeds and the implementation
of the Palay Check System.
Certainly, the AMU Program is a
remarkable achievement for all who joined in
the undertaking. A record of 586 farmers
across 26 towns and cities participated in the
project covering an area of 1018 hectares.
The total amount of loan released to farmers
is more than 13 million pesos. As a motivation to encourage rice farmers to aspire for
high yields, the provincial government spearheaded the conduct of a contest for the highest yield performance in rice, which was
opened to all farmers of the province. The
winners of the contest were given awards for
their extra ordinary achievement.
The AMU Program is a commendable local effort in agricultural development.
It pooled the resources and expertise of various entities to facilitate the improvement of
an already outstanding rice production system. With the AMU Program led by the
Nueva Ecija Provincial Agriculture Office,
the province has not only fortified its position as the top rice producer of the country
but also improved the chances of the Philippines in attaining rice sufficiency in the coming years.
Engr. Eduardo Alberto
SWAC, Region III
Page 10
BSWM Update
Soil Con Hosts...
(Continued from page 1)
Director Silvino Q. Tejada thanked
the entire BSWM family and also the friends
of the Bureau who graced the occasion, and
told them he was very happy that they are all
present. He then introduced the guest
speaker, Hon. Engineer Proceso J. Alcala,
Representative of the Second District of
Quezon and the Lead Convenor of Organic
Agriculture Program.
Rep. Alcala announced that many
congressmen are already pushing for organic
agriculture in the country. “I firmly believed
that may pag-asa pa ang Pilipinas,” he reiterated. He also boasted of the technical assistance BSWM has provided to the farmers of
Quezon province and is now reaping dividends.
BSWM Intensifies SSIP Monitoring and
Training of Farmer Beneficiaries
In order to sustain the use of Small Scale Irrigation Project (SSIP) in the
country, two-day training seminars were conducted in different locations for farmer
beneficiaries to acquaint them on how to use their irrigation efficiently. Farmers were
organized and guided on how to register their association for them to legitimize their
organization. Included in the seminar are Institutional Development, Operation and
Maintenance of SSIP, Basic Leadership and Technical Skills Training. Field visitation
is also included in order to address the problems on their irrigation facilities. From
April to June, farmers training were conducted in the provinces of Bulacan, Mindoro
Oriental, Romblon, and Zamboanga Sibugay. Trainors of the said trainings are headed
by the Officer In Charge of Water Use Management Section (WUMS) Ms. Elsa
B.Manango together with the Institutional Officers (IO) of the division.
To facilitate the project implementation of SSIP, a monitoring team from
WRMD was sent to Antique, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Bohol, Romblon, Palawan and
Zamboanga Del Norte to conduct ground assessment of the project. Local officials and
farmer organizations were briefed regarding the actual status of SSIP and the activities
to be conducted during and after the completion of the project. The municipalities covered in Camarines Sur were Baao, Bombon, Calabanga, Libmanan, Minalabac, Tigaon, and Lagonoy. Most of the projects are due for bidding and for future implementation. Ongoing projects in Bohol, Romblon and Zamboanga Provinces are closely
monitored. Two teams were off to Palawan to monitor the status of the identified projects in the southern
portion of the province. Among the municipalities
covered
were Aborlan, Narra.
Quezon, Española and
Rizal.
Project site in
Narra was also visited
for the water source of
the possible irrigation
of some 200 hectares
of rice farm. This is
vital for the need of
the low lying farmers
in the community.
Ms. Rosmelinda Reforma of the WRMD on one of the field visitation to site of water source for irrigation. Leilani Naga
Soil Conservation staff performing their dance steps during the BSWM Anniversary. Following the addresses of the
guests was the awarding to the most outstanding employees of the year. For the supervisory technical, Mr. Victorcito V. Babiera (Research Division); Mr. Sonia M.
Salguero (BAC) for the supervisory nontechnical; for non-supervisory technical, Mr.
Joven P. Espineli (ALMED) and Mr. Jose D.
Manguerra (SCMD); and for the nonsupervisory admin technical we have Ms.
Armelyn C. Galicia, Ms. Ma. Cecilia C. Moreno and Mr. Ulysis M. Latoza. Special
awards were given to Ms. Mercedes S. Fernando, Mr. Rodelio B. Carating, Mr. Marc
Gil A. Mangrobang, Mr. Ryan P. Sanchez,
Ms. Vilma M. Quimson, Ms. Florfina P.
Sanchez. The Group award was handed out
to the Cashier Section.
The Research Division was adjudged the winner of the dance competition
while the Administration garnered the second place. Mr. Paolo Suministrado won the
BSWM Idol, another highlight of the celebration.
Engr. Samuel M. Contreras, chief
of the Soil Conservation Division, was this
year’s overall chairman of the celebration.
Baldwin M. Pine
Aurora M. Manalang
April - June 2009
Page 11
BSWM honors two BAC employees
Two among the Bids and Award Committee (BAC)/Procurement Unit members were awarded during the 58th Bureau of Soil and Water
Management (BSWM) Anniversary last June 5, 2009. They were Sonia M. Salguero, Supervising Agriculturist and Ma. Cecilla C. Moreno, Agriculturist I, who were honored as outstanding employees for Supervisory Non-Technical and Non-Supervisory for Administrative Support, respectively.
A Glimpse at the Awardees
Ma. Cecilia C. Moreno
Procuring process is not as easy as buying candy at your nearest store or loading up your cell phones at your neighborhood or co-worker,
rather it is as complicated as operating human anatomy for it needs attention, accuracy and mastery
of the right procedure. This is how “Mama Cel,” as we called her, top secrets for her job well done.
According to her, a to-do-list form guides her to accomplish the day to day needed documents and reminds her of the scheduled meetings and activities. “I always keep to date the recent
issuances and guidelines of the procurement” she said.
The said Unit accepts at least 15 Purchase Request (PR) almost every day. It is the start of
the procuring process that will be followed by deliberation, posting, publication up to releasing or
awarding depending on the mode of procurement used. Who will not get baffled handling all of
these things? Only her. As what the cliché tells us, one bad apple spoils the whole bunch, hence, it is
of great help to give an eye for each of the documents and there should be no room for mistakes.
As a vital division in the Bureau, procurement unit necessitates manpower who has keen
to details and who can process the acquisition of goods and services at the right time and at the right
place for the direct benefit of the divisions or individuals.
To mention, she is a member of BAC Secretariat since 1999, was assigned as contractual
Ms. Ma. Cecilia Moreno flanked by Cong. Alcala, at the office of the Auditor in 1998 where she was tasked to consolidate and arrange the suspensions
Asec. Olalia and Director Tejada. and disallowances of BSWM and as Clerk II at the Property Unit in 2000.
At the age of 33 and a mother of two, she worth the price of being distinguished in the agency she is working for ten years. She even
mentioned that if given a chance, she will conduct training for administrative personnel enabling them to understand the procurement process.
She is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts Major in Sociology at University of Santo Tomas and earned her Masteral Degree in Management
at Trinity College.
Sonia M. Salguero
As a second time awardee of the
agency where she got her first award as Outstanding Supervising Soil Technologist during the 34th Anniversary of BSWM in 1985,
she constantly enhanced her career even after
she was demoted from Chief of Soil Fertility
Investigation Section (SFIS), Soil Fertility
Division, already abolished division, to Agriculturist II of Water Resources Management
Division (WRMD).
One of her contributions as a chief
of SFIS was the Azolla Management and its
Utilization in Agriculture, where she first
introduced it in the Bureau.
With her very strong personality,
she said that she was not even discouraged
not to persevere and bring back what she had
lost. “Of course, I was hurt of my demotion
and my goal back then was to get back my
position,” she added.
Challenged, she applied at University of the Philippines, Diliman Campus and
got her Diploma in Development Economics
way back 1989 to 1990 and later applied and
accepted for scholarship and earned her Master of Philosophy in Agriculture Economics
at Massey University, Palmerston North,
New Zealand in 1993 to 1995.
As determined Filipino student
abroad she founded the Massey University
Filipino Association, an organization that
promotes the welfare of the Filipino studying
and working abroad and that exists until
now.
she once became an instructor in her Alma
In 2001 she was promoted as SenMatter at Araneta University Foundation
ior Agriculturist and a year after was again
where she was a graduate of Bachelor of
an impressive achievement where she was
Science in Agriculture, Major in Soils, for
promoted as Supervising Agriculturist until
two years full-time position. And she still
now. At the age of 54, she is the head of
had given a part time load even already
BAC Secretariat, Co-Chairman of Technical
working in the bureau but still resigned due
Working Group (TWG) Los Baños Project,
to hectic schedules.
and member of Bureau of Soil and Water
Indeed, life is really a roller coaster
Management
Employees
Association
for her, but in fact she is just building a more
(BSWMEA), where she became a two-term
exciting, unique, ride experiences that no
president. She properly designates the work
one, if not all, could ever endure.
tasks to her staffs to meet deadlines and to
avoid rushing of works.
Ginalyn S. Rivera
At times of work pressure and
anxiety, she gets her
comfort zone in praying
hard and submitting
herself to Him. She read
inspirational and personality growing books as
well to release the tension especially at work.
“There should
be basis of everything,
every statement and
every decision made. I
identify pros and cons so
that no one will question
me,” she added in a stiff
manner.
Aside from an
agricultural
research
coordinator,
project Ms. Sonia Salguero accepting the plaque for being an out‐
leader, resource person, standing employee in supervisory non‐technical category. Page 12
BSWM Update
BSWM UPDATE
BUREAU OF SOILS AND WATER MANAGEMENT
Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City
Articles and other contributions should be sent to editorial
office located at ISRIS, c/o the BSWM Update Editor
--CORRESPONDENTS THIS ISSUE
Janet Operario, Maria Angelita Esguerra, Eugene Briones,
Sharon de Vera, Teodoro Bersabe, Jenny Anne Perlado,
Maria Luisa C. Tabing, Jacqueline S. Rojales, Gemma
Vacalares, Karen Salandanan, Eduardo Alberto,
Aurora Manalang, Leilani Naga, Ginalyn S. Rivera,
Ariel Almeda, Baldwin Pine, Andy Evangelista,
ISRIS Group, ALMED and SCMD Staff
---
Aurora M. Manalang
Editor
Lyndon John L. Alcantara
Associate Editor/Layout Artist
Rodelio B. Carating
Asst. Dir. Wilfredo E. Cabezon
Director Silvino Q. Tejada
Editorial Advisers
Omaña, Bura retire from service
The Cartographic Operations Divisions said goodbye once again
to one of its staff with the retirement from government service of their
“Papsy,” Mr. German Omaña. As a fitting gift and testimonial for his long
service at the Bureau, Dr. Lauro G. Hernandez and the entire Carto staff
held a party for Mr. Omaña last May 29, 2009 at the Carto office.
Several friends and well-wishers of Mr. Omaña from other Divisions as well as BSWM retirees like Mr. Cresencio Solano and Mr.
Marcelo Crisostomo also took part in the celebration. Best wishes to Mr.
Omaña!
Jose Bura or ”Mang Joe” started
his journey at the Bureau of Soils and Water
Management at the age of 31. His dedication
and passion in extending his knowledge to
our small farmers was emulated by other Soil
Conservation Management Division staff.
Lab/Soil Con snares overall crown
The Red Team composed of the Laboratory Services
Division and Soil Conservation Management Division took
home the overall championship of the 3rd Tejada Cup at the
conclusion of events last May 28, 2009.
Retirement does not end but starts
new pages in life. Pages, where new activities are to be listed with no rush hours, no
supervisors and no early morning wake up.
Best wishes to Papsy and Mang Joe!
Baldwin Pine
Ariel Almeda
Boni dela Cruz of Soil Conservation tries to score on a set up during the cham‐
pionship game of the Volleyball event against Research Division. Red Team captured first place in volleyball, chess
and table tennis events that scored the team 80 points followed by the Green Team (Director’s Office, Administration
TIDS, ISRIS and ALMED) with a total of 60 points. Blue
(Cartography and Water) and Yellow (Soil Survey and Research) teams were tied for 3rd place. The red team received a
cash prize of P 6,000.00 and the overall trophy.
This year’s Summer Sports Festival started April 21,
2009. Other sporting events included in the tourney were darts
and badminton. The hosts for this year’s staging was the Soil
Conservation Management Division in cooperation with the
BSWM Employees Association.
Mr. German Omaña enjoys the party treated to him by Carto officemates. Bura (top) and Omaña led this year’s batch of retirees. Baldwin Pine
Ariel Almeda