February 24, 2026, Bacolod City – The Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM), through its Soils Survey Division (SSD), formally presented and turned over the Map Outputs for Negros Island under the project “Soil Characterization of the Sugarcane Mill Districts” to the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA). The project covers the Central, Northern, and Southern Negros sugarcane mill districts and aims to provide science-based soil information to support improved land management and sugarcane productivity.

The DA-BSWM implementation team was represented by Dr. Dante E. Margate, Chief, Soils Survey Division; Mr. Sandy B. Abiad, Senior Agriculturist; Ms. Marjorie M. Arriola, Senior Agriculturist / Alternate Project Focal; Engr. John Dave E. Pacariem, Agriculturist II / Project Focal; and Engr. Ragine A. Galzote, Agriculturist II/Technical Support.

During the Exit Conference, Mr. Abiad, delivered a comprehensive presentation of the Terminal Report, while Dr. Margate, provided an in-depth discussion of the soil maps and analytical results.

Present during the activity was Sugar Board Member Mr. David Andrew L. Sanson, along with officials and staff from the SRA, namely: Engr. Laverne Olalia, Manager III; Ms. Theresa D. Alejandrino, Supervising Science Research Specialist; Mr. Jullian G. Geolingo, Supervising Agriculturist; Mr. Dennis Dela Cruz, Project Evaluation Officer III; Mr. Mikko Libo-on, Agriculturist II & Ms. Gherlie Pauline A. Parilla, Senior Administrative Assistant I.

The Exit Conference marked the successful completion of project activities for the Negros Island area. It also served as a venue to identify future collaborative opportunities and strengthen partnerships with the SRA, ensuring sustained support for evidence-based soil management in sugarcane-producing communities.

(Written by Marj Arriola; Photos by Engr. JD Pacariem)