On March 3, 2026, the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM’s) Director Gina Parde-Nilo, Ph.D. reaffirmed the commitment of the Department of Agriculture in the protection of agricultural land and increase productivity in an Interagency effort on Land Use Monitoring with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and multisectoral agencies; the implementation of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) in the Uplands as a means to combat land degradation and drought, adapt and mitigate climate change and enhancing biodiversity corridors.
It was a day of series of meetings that reflected BSWM’s proactive engagement in shaping policies that integrate land use planning, agricultural sustainability, and environmental protection. Director Nilo joined a series of high-level meetings aimed at strengthening land governance, promoting sustainable upland agriculture, and advancing biodiversity protection initiatives. The Director was joined by Engr. Eduardo V. Alberto, Chief of the Soil Conservation and Management Division (SCMD) and Ms. Jovette T. Almeda, Chief of the Agricultural Land Management Evaluation Division (ALMED) in a packed schedule that underscored BSWM’s expanding role in inter-agency collaboration and policy development to providing soil and land resource data critical to corridor planning, particularly in identifying areas suitable for conservation, agroforestry, and sustainable production systems.
The day began with the 1st Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting on Inter-Agency Land Use Monitoring, held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the 7th Floor of the DHSUD Building along Kalayaan Avenue. The meeting gathered representatives from key national government agencies to align strategies and establish coordinated mechanisms for land use monitoring. Discussions focused on harmonizing data systems, improving land classification processes, and enhancing transparency in tracking land conversion, reclassification, and development trends. Director Nilo emphasized the importance of science-based land assessment in guiding sustainable development planning. She highlighted BSWM’s technical expertise in soil profiling, land suitability evaluation, and geospatial analysis as critical components in strengthening inter-agency monitoring frameworks.
In the afternoon, Director Nilo and the Team proceeded to Conference Rooms 1 and 2 of the Mitra Building at the House of Representatives of the Philippines for the Deliberation of HB 1384 and HB 2379 authored by Congressman Plaza and Congressman Salceda, respectively with all the Honorable Congressmen present who approved of the Bill titled Upland Sustainable Agri-Fishery Development (USAD) Program. The deliberation centered on institutionalizing programs and funding support that promote sustainable farming practices in upland communities, mitigate soil erosion, and enhance productivity while conserving natural resources. BSWM fully supports the bill and provides technical inputs on soil conservation technologies, watershed-based land management, and climate-resilient agricultural practices. Director Nilo underscored that upland areas play a vital role in food security and ecological balance, stressing that policy support must be backed by sound land capability assessment and long-term sustainability measures.
Capping the day’s engagements was a 4:00 p.m. meeting with Undersecretary Teh of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regarding the Biodiversity (BD) Corridor Project. The discussion explored collaborative strategies to protect and rehabilitate ecological corridors that connect fragmented habitats, ensuring the movement and survival of wildlife species while balancing agricultural and development needs.
By strengthening coordination with DHSUD, the House of Representatives, and DENR, Director Nilo and her team continue to position the BSWM as a key technical partner in advancing data-driven, sustainable land management across the country.
(Jovette T. Almeda, Chief ALMED)
