2 days ago
Marcos says he wants soil laboratories in every region
President Bongbong Marcos at presentation of the 50th Gawad Saka National Awardees and Ugnayan with Farmers, June 30, 2025 at the Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija. RTVM screenshot
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday said his administration is targeting to establish soil laboratories in every region across the country.
Marcos made the remark as he engaged with the national grand winners of the 50th Gawad Saka: Parangal sa mga Natatanging Magsasaka at Mangingisda in a forum at the Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija.
The President said he is optimistic that there will come a time where the Philippines will no longer depend on rice importation.
''Mayron at mayroon na tayong nasimulan. Gusto naming maglagay ng permanent na soil laboratories sa bawat regions. Ito'y unang... Phase I pa lang ika nga, Phase I pa lang ito kaya't pagpatuloy lang ang aming... pagpatuloy lang ang aming ginagawa para lahat ng tulong na maibigay natin sa ating mga mangingisda at farmer, gagawin natin,'' Marcos said.
(We have already started. We want to place permanent soil laboratories in every region. This is just the Phase I so we will continue to provide help to our fisherfolk and farmers.)
''Dadaring din tayo sa araw na hindi na tayo masyadong umaasa sa importation kaya't yun ang ating habol, 'yun ang magiging sign of success natin kapag talagang nabawasan na ng husto ang ating pagbili ng imported rice,'' Marcos added.
(There will come a time that we will no longer depend on importation. That's our goal, that will be the sign of our success if our dependence on importing rice will decrease.)
In December of last year, Marcos launched the country's first mobile soil laboratory (MSL) in Malacañang.
The MSL is a customized 10-wheeler truck possessing state of the art equipment, facility, resources, and safety features, with the capacity to conduct 44 soil chemical, physical, and microbiological parameters.
This will increase the accessibility of soil laboratory services for agricultural stakeholders to guarantee the sustainable use and management of soil resources and strengthen crop productivity.
The project is under the National Soil Health Program of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM).
Meanwhile, Gawad Saka is the highest and most prestigious annual recognition of the Department of Agriculture in partnership with local government units.
The award honors the exemplary performance, outstanding contributions and innovative ways of Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, institutions, scientists and researchers in coping with the evolving agricultural sector towards attaining food security, sufficiency and sustainability. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
