DA-BSWM delegates steer discussion on CESLab and Regional PT during the 8th GLOSOLAN Meeting

The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) delegates steered the discussion on the Center of Excellence for Soil Laboratories and the Regional Proficiency Testing (PT) during the 8th Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN) Meeting, held in Rome, Italy, from November 11 to 14, 2024.

The Philippines Team from the DA-BSWM – composed of Gina Parde-. Nilo, Ph.D, Director; Florfina P. Sanchez, Chemist IV; and John Adrian A. Pascua, Chemist II; actively participated during the 8th GLOSOLAN Meeting held at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Headquarters in Rome, Italy, on November 11 to 14, 2024 (simultaneously available online via Zoom). The DA-BSWM Team attended the four-day event that tackled the status and critical matters concerning the Soil Laboratories on the Global and Regional levels. Present at the event are representatives from different Regional Soil Laboratory Networks: African Soil Laboratory Network (AFRILAB), Asian Soil Laboratory Network (SEALNET), European and Eurasian Soil Laboratory Network (EUROSOLAN), Latin American Soil Laboratory Network (LATSOLAN), Near East and North African Soil Laboratory Network (NENALAB). The BSWM Team represented the 48 Member Soil Laboratories of the Philippine National Soil Laboratory Network (Phil NASOLAN).

11 November 2024. Rome, FAO HQ. Gina P. Nilo, Bureau of Soil and Water Management (Philippines)

During the meeting, BSWM Director and Chairperson of Asian Soil Partnership (ASP) Gina Parde-. Nilo, Ph.D. presented at the plenary meeting “Center of Excellence for Soil Laboratory (CESLab) – the example of Asia,” which lobbies the need for a recognition of a highly competent Soil Laboratory in the Asian Region to help in raising the level of every Soil Laboratory towards excellence. Dr. Nilo’s presentation involves the mechanism for the assessment of applicant laboratories and the responsibilities of certified laboratories. Her talk was received with praise from all delegates and was moved to be adopted on a global scale.

11 November 2024. Rome, FAO HQ. Florfina P. Sanchez, Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM)

Mr. John Adrian A. Pascua of BSWM talked about the Status of Regional Proficiency Testing for the Asian and Eurasian Regions, highlighting the progress of implementation and protocol for the interlaboratory comparison scheme. Pressing matters on customs requirements for soil samples were also discussed. The body openly recognized BSWM’s efforts in facilitating this program, which caters to 320 Soil Laboratories. The Philippine delegates brought 34 sets of soil samples to distribute to European Region participants.

The four-day activity included a series of technical sessions that addressed the pressing matters of the Global and Regional Soil Laboratory Networks, such as the Harmonization of Standard Operating Procedures, Soil Spectroscopy, communication strategies, gap analysis, and internal and external quality control/quality assurance measures. In addition, a joint session with the International Network of Soil Information Institutions (INSII), the initiative to create a GLOSOLAN Certification Mechanism, and the upcoming celebration of World Soil Day 2024.