The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) led the 2024 World Soil Day (WSD) celebration in the Philippines on December 5, 2024 at the BSWM Convention Hall in Quezon City.
“Our mission today is not only to celebrate soil but to reaffirm our dedication to its sustainable stewardship. Measuring soil health, monitoring its changes, and managing it responsibly are fundamental actions that empower us to ensure food security, climate resilience, and ecological balance for generations to come,” BSWM Director Gina Nilo said in a video message.
Director Nilo, who was attending the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Saudi Arabia—which coincided with the WSD, emphasized that the BSWM is ready to tackle the interrelated concerns on land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
She highlighted the BSWM’s top agenda, which includes implementing the National Soil Health Program, sustainable land management, Presidential Decree No. 1435, soil resources information and mapping, and climate-resilient water harvesting technology and water management.
With the theme “Caring for soils: Measure, monitor, manage,” this year’s World Soil Day Celebration underscores the importance of accurate soil data for understanding soil characteristics and supporting sound decision-making.
“Caring for our soils is paramount. It has become both our responsibility and of course urgent priority in the country. Understanding the state of our soils is fundamental to every decision we make as a Department. Through significant investments in soil mapping and testing across the country, we are building a baseline to guide our policies and programs,” Undersecretary for Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization Roger Navarro said on behalf of Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.
During the event, the BSWM also recognized farmer heroes who have served as guardians and advocates of soil health in their communities. Jerome Banda of Hinunangan, Southern Leyte; Aurelia Panes of Allacapan, Cagayan; and Eduardo Jopson Jr. of Quezon, Palawan were the top three winners of the World Soil Day Farming Heroes Contest.
Representatives from partner agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, DA operating units, regional offices, and local government units also joined the celebration.
Prior to the event, the BSWM hosted the second Philippine Soil Partnership Assembly on December 4, 2024. It convened partners from national government agencies, state universities and colleges, civil society organizations, and the private sector to enhance collaborative activities on sustainable soil management practices in the country. ### (Gumamela Bejarin-Rosas, DA-AFID)
