The Philippine Soil Partnership (PSP), through the Department of Agriculture- Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) gathered representatives from government agencies, state universities and colleges (SUCs), private companies, and civil society organizations (CSOs) for its Action Area 1: Sustainably Manage and Restore Soil for the Provision of Ecosystem Services Stakeholders’ Forum on February 25, 2026, at the DA-ATI RDEC Main Function Hall, Diliman, Quezon City. 

The forum featured presentations from different sectors working on sustainable land management and sustainable soil management (SLM/SSM). A dynamic open forum was carried out after each session to solicit comments and suggestions from participants. 

Dr. Hiyasmin Rose L. Benzon from the University of the Philippines Los Baños discussed advances in sustainable land and soil management research and academic innovations. Dr. Ricson Ines of Bataan Peninsula State University–Abucay Campus presented sustainable land management initiatives being implemented in their university.

Dr. Karen S. Bautista, Chief of the Soil and Water Resources Research Division of the DA-BSWM, discussed the bureau’s sustainable land management and sustainable soil management research for development programs. From the private sector, Mr. Leovi Andrei E. Mendoza of Alterna Verde Corporation presented on soil pollution and industry practices.

On policy directions, Engr. Eduardo V. Alberto, Chief of the Soil Conservation Management Division of DA-BSWM, discussed measures to strengthen the adoption of sustainable land and soil management. Mr. Edicio G. De la Torre of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement shared civil society-led initiatives in soil governance.

For technology dissemination, Ms. Rachelle G. Ceralvo from the Local Government Unit of Tapaz, Capiz, presented their experience in transferring sustainable land and soil management technologies. Mr. Danilo Racines from a farmers’ association in Ligao City, Albay, discussed community-based approaches on soil management. Engr. Diosdado M. Manalus, Chief of the Water Resources Management Division of DA-BSWM, presented the guidelines and implementation of the Solar-Powered Irrigation System.

The speakers emphasized a core message — the science, technologies, and field-tested models for Sustainable Land and Soil Management (SLM/SSM) already exist. From laboratory research to landscape-level demonstrations, innovations have been developed, tested, and refined. The pressing challenge is coordination, adoption, and scaling of SLM/SSM initiatives.

During the open forum, participants openly raised some concerns in SLM/SSM. For instance, monocropping continues to threaten long-term soil health, and there is an urgent need to promote diversification strategies such as crop rotation. The Adaptive Balanced Fertilization Strategy (ABFS) was highlighted as a practical solution that balances productivity and sustainability — inorganic fertilizers feed the crop, while organic fertilizers nourish the soil. Large-scale ABFS demonstrations for rice, covering 100 to 500 hectares under a clustering approach, have shown promising results and highlights the importance of large scale demonstration ensuring visible impact. 

Participants also stressed the need for R4D on soil micronutrients and heavy metals, alongside the establishment of national standards. Nationwide soil characterization was identified as a critical foundation for the development of the Philippine Soil Action Plan. Emerging threats such as microplastics in soils further emphasized the urgency of coordinated multi-sector responses.

The discussion also explored convergence actions among government, academe, industry, and civil society. Shared soil sampling and reporting protocols, multi-sector pilot baselines, joint capacity-building programs, and the integration of soil indicators and environmental reporting were proposed as strategic steps forward. Sustained investment through the National Soil Health Program, greater funding allocation for soil health management, and stronger participation in global research networks were identified as necessary to ensure long-term impact.

In her closing message, Dr. Gina P. Nilo, DA-BSWM Director, stressed that programs will only move forward if institutions work together.

“To be able to scale up, it requires network and partnership,” Dir.Nilo said.

Dir.  Nilo also reminded participants that soil protection is a shared responsibility.

“We have the responsibility to inspire our children, neighbors, and farmers. We have to love the soils for our children. There is always strength in partnership -para sa Makabagong Pilipinas,” she said.

The forum ended with participating agencies expressing support for continued coordination and cooperation under PSP, with the goal of improving soil management practices and supporting farmers nationwide.

(Vicky T. Dimaano & Joann O. Allas, SWRRD)