SECOND ANNUAL LABORATORY ASSESSMENT (LTO-SL INSPECTION) OF DA-REGIONAL SOILS LABORATORY III

Presidential Decree No. 1435 mandates the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM), through the Laboratory Services Division (LSD), to supervise, regulate, and control the establishment and operations of all soil laboratories in the country, including the issuance of the License to Operate – Soil Laboratory (LTO-SL) to ensure technical competence across key operational areas.

In line with this, the Second Annual Assessment of DA-Regional Soils Laboratory III was conducted on April 22–23, 2026 at the Capitol Compound, Sto Niño, City of San Fernando, Pampanga by the Technical Evaluation and Audit Team (TE&AT) Team I. The TE&AT Team 1 is composed of Team Leader Bergil Bernaldo; members Christian Paul Baniqued, Romeo Vargas and observer Elisha Jean Somosa. The activity included an opening program, laboratory tour, and evaluation of major areas such as manpower, facilities, equipment, test methods, QA/QC systems, and procedures through document review, interviewfs, and witnessing of analyses.

The assessment emphasized continuous improvement and compliance with standards and concluded with a closing meeting. This activity was conducted with the support of the DA-BSWM Management, led by Director Gina Parde-Nilo, Ph.D., Chairperson of TE&AT and Focal Person and Alternate Focal Person for PD 1435 implementation, Ms. Florfina P. Sanchez, and Mr. Bergil Bernaldo, respectively.