The year 2019 is one of the most fruitful years for the Agricultural Land Management and Evaluation Division (ALMED). With its implementation of multi-million projects nationwide, while carrying out the Quality Management System; and the exemplary spearheading of the BSWM 2019 Anniversary.
ALMED is mandated to formulate and adopt national agricultural land use planning framework to guide policy makers and local government units on appropriate land use allocation and land development through applications of sustainable agricultural land management principles and thereby ensure a secure and sustainable production base.
ALMED Organizational Chart
New Division Chief
ALMED is under the new leadership of Mr. Bernardo B. Pascua, appointed as the Chief of ALMED last April 27, 2020. He is the Officer-in-Charge of ALMED since January 2, 2020 and served BSWM for 40 years. Mr. Bertolio P. Arellano is the OIC Chief of ALMED for the whole year of 2019.
Highlights of 2019 Accomplishments per Project
Review and Updating of Network of Protected Areas and Agro-Industrial Development (NPAAAD),and Strategic Agriculture and Fishery Development Zone (SAFDZ)
Administered nationwide and aims to protect the agricultural land. Activities include (1) 11 consultation workshops, conducted with the Local Government Units, provincial and municipal levels; and (2) field validation and ground trothing of 21 provinces, covering 313 municipalities.
Strengthening and Mainstreaming Evaluation Mechanism on Land Use Reclassification (SEMLUR)
Conducted nationwide and aims to strengthen the policy recommendation on land use matters. Activities include (1) 3 consultation meetings with the Regional Technical Evaluation Committee on Land Use Matters (RTECLUM); (2) assessment workshop conducted with the National Technical Evaluation Committee on Land Use Matters (NTECLUM), BSWM Records Section, Customer Center and Geomatics and Soil Information Technology Division (GSITD); and (3) facilitated the guidelines on the issuance of certificate of eligibility for conversion of agricultural lands, signed by the Department of Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar.
National Mapping, Characterization and Development of Spatial Database for the Coastal Areas Affected by Salinity
A science-based improvement of production on saline affected areas (45 provinces). Covered 21 provinces in the conduct of field activities for soil sampling and key informant interviews; and with the GSITD, produce Salinity maps on provinces with soil analysis from the Laboratory Services Division.
Soil/Land Resources Evaluation and SAFDZ – CLUP Integration Project
A joint agreement with LGUs that aims to update the land resources data promoting crop diversification and tool for the crafting of the local physical framework plan. Completed field activities of 2 municipalities: Pamplona, Camarines Sur and Romblon, Romblon; and presented new proposal to Tolosa, Leyte.
This year, despite what the new normal may bring, ALMED will continue to soar – another reason to be grateful and celebrate its great achievements.
