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Volume 2, Issue 1

January-March 2009

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For quality and transparency in service

BSWM formulates Citizen’s Charter

Director Tejada harvesting rice at the Farmer’s Field Day in Curuan, Zamboanga City.  See related story on page 2. 

Members of the Citizen’s Charter Team after convening for its formulation last February 10‐11, 2009.  

BSWM hosts Bhutan Soil and Local Officers

The Bureau of Soils and Water Management hosted Bhutan nationals in an Exchange Program on Sustainable Land Management held last March 15-21, 2009. The visitors were officials of the Bhutan National Soil Services Centre, District Commissioners, District Agriculture Officers and soil and land researchers. The Bureau will share to the Bhutanese delegates its experiences in soil conservation and management activities in the upland agriculture. The salient feature of this program is the field observation of the bureau’s Soil conservation Guided Farms that showcase the integration of technologies within the socio-economic and bio-physical limitations of upland areas for best possible development of soil and water resources.

The Soil Conservation and Management Division facilitated the visits to the Soil Conservation Guided Farms in

(Continued on page 12)

In response to RA 9485, “An Act to Improve Efficiency in the Delivery of government Service to the Public by Reducing Red Tape, Preventing graft and Corruption, and Providing Penalties Therefore” together with its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the BSWM in collaboration with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), conducted a training on the Formulation of BSWM’s Citizen Charter (CC) last February 10-11 at the Lopez Hall. The resource speakers were members of the DAP Team composed of Sr. Vice Pres. Magdalena Mendoza; Dir. Ophelia P. Tongco; Dir. Grace R. Ratarin; Mesdames Pia Jingco; Macrina U. Mallari; Emelita V. Esusan; Mr. Bonnie Andrew M. Mendoza (all from DAP); Dir. Elnora B. Gotis of the CSC Field Office-Caloocan City and Commissioner Jaime Jacob of Presidential Anti-Graft Commission. The BSWM Citizen’s Charter Team (CCT) was created to promote transparency, accountability and ensure efficient and effective service delivery as per Special Order No. 31 Series of 2009 headed by Mr. Rodelio B. Carating and Co

-chaired by Dr. Lauro G. Hernandez. Members are the division/center/section chiefs. Their alternates were also listed. The members of the secretariat were as follows: Mesdames Janet G. Operario; Ma. Angelita G. Esguerra; Aurora M. Manalang; and Joyce J. Sanchez. A series of workshops and consultations are to be undertaken to come up with the bureau’s own Citizen’s Charter.

Janet Operario

Page 2 BSWM Update

Tejada Graces Farmers’ Field Day

Director Tejada answers questions from the farmers at the Field Day in Curuan, Zamboanga City. 

BSWM holds training program for managers The Bureau of Soils and Water Management held a managers training program last March

9-11, 2009 at Doña Jovita Resort in Pansol, Calamba City, Laguna. The program was headed by Asst. Director Wilfredo E. Cabezon, Division/Center Chiefs, and Heads of Special Projects, Service Groups and Administrative Units.

The activity was a brainchild of Dir. Silvino Q. Tejada, who had a first-hand experience participating in the said training program and deemed it valuable and relevant for his partners and co-managers of the Bureau.

The training program, which is an offshoot of the widely-acclaimed and bestseller book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” aims to enhance the managerial capability of members of BSWM Management through different power approaches and their impact in human relation-ships, business transactions and sustaining influence and bottom line results. It also provides an avenue for the participants to strengthen plans and targets for the Bureau and increase camarade-rie among them. The Center for Leadership and Change Inc. (CLCI) manages the conduct of this activity.

Jovette Tenorio

Bureau Conducts Budget and Planning

Workshop A three-day Year-end Report and

Budget and Planning Workshop for CY 2009 – 2010 was conducted on January 26 to 28, 2009 at the BSWM Convention Hall.

In his welcome remarks, Director Te-jada stated that BSWM shall focus on devel-oping programs on soil and water, upland agriculture, and development of organic agriculture as well as production of organic fertilizer.

Presentation of output by each division unit and research center highlighted the workshop which reflected 2008, as shown in the Accomplishment Reports presented by the division/ center chiefs and project coordi-nators.

On her part as Budget Officer, Miss Elsie Balagtas discussed the Financial Out-look and Working Budget for 2009 – 2010.

Mr. Rodel Carating and the Planning and Evaluation Group lauded the efforts of the organizing committee for a job well done as Director Tejada and Assistant Director Wilfredo Cabezon lead the attendees along with the bureau’s division/ center/ section chiefs, unit heads and project coordinators.

Cecilia B. Orlanes

Asst. Director Wilfredo E. Cabezon addressing the participants (left) of the 7 Habits for Manag‐ers held in Calamba, Laguna. BSWM managers (right) attended the training program. 

Lead the ceremonial harvesting, serve as a guest speaker, be a resource person and celebrate with the farmers.

This was what Director Silvino Q. Tejada carried out as he graced the Farmers’ Field Day in Curuan, Zamboanga City on March 12, 2009.

In his address, Director Tejada spoke of the farmers as the backbone in agricultural development. He considered the active participation of farmers in adopting and improving recommended technologies and in sharing their knowledge and experience with other farmers as the stimulant for progress. In light of this, he gave FIELDS another meaning, which is: Farmers Involvement in promotion Extension and education Livelihood Development and in Serving fellowmen.

Director Tejada declared that BSWM will continue to support the farmers of Curuan by assisting the farmers’ association in setting up an organic fertilizer production plant. Facilities and trainings will be extended, and program implementation will start on April or May. “With an organic fertilizer plant, the farmers cproduction cost of rice will be reduced as inorganic fertilizer

input is partly substituted with organic fertilizer in balanced fertilization”, he stressed out.

“Your request for post harvest facilities and training cannot be accommodated by BSWM since it is out of the scope of its mandate. However, I am assuring you that your request shall be brought to concerned DA attached agencies for attention and appropriate action”, Tejada said.

Director Tejada also mentioned the small scale irrigation system, another core of the BSWM’s program to support farmers. He

furthered that this is applicable only to those with an irrigable area of 50 hectares and below. Included in this program are small water impounding projects, diversion dams, shallow tube wells and small farm reservoirs.

In the open forum, farmers requested for clarification on the availability and use of STK and trichoderma. Non-cooperators sought explanations in the rapid composting technology. These were all addressed by Dir. Tejada and his staff. Mr. Florence Agustin, SWAC for Region 9, encouraged the farmers to conduct independent study of the technologies introduced, and make modifications according to what they observe is best suited to local conditions.

Participating in the Field Day celebration were 52 farmers (including members of the Curuan Irrigators Association) and 29 personnel from the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit, the Agricultural Training Institute, the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, the Regional Soils Laboratory, Local Government Unit and the Barangay Council of Curuan.

The Field Day was a first time event for Curuan since its farmer cooperators were included in the Agri-Kalikasan Program in October 2008 only.

Ednalyn Floresca

January - March 2009 Page 3

DOST approves ISRIS research on corn The BSWM’s research proposal, “Spatial Geodatabase System for Corn Production Monitoring in Isabela Province” was endorsed for executive committee review after it passed the assessment of the DOST’s Governor’s Council (GC) in its meeting last March 16, 2009 at the Department of Science and Technology compound in Taguig City. “The painstaking efforts of the ISRIS group in the conceptualization and drafting of the proposal really paid off. Fortunately, it passed several levels of deliberations, including the GC Meeting which was chaired by Secretary Estrella Alabastro”, said Juliet Manguerra, one of the project leaders. The proposal, which was submitted through PCARRD for funding by DOST-Grants In Aid, once approved, is expected to commence on April 2009. The proposal, consisting of two components, (1) development of spatial geodatabase and (2) satellite imaging analysis, aims to establish a corn production monitoring system which will provide accurate, reliable and near-real time data and information for policy-makers, planners and major stakeholders. It is essentially envisioned for mainstreaming throughout the country. Mr. Rodelio Carating heads the research program.

Jovette Tenorio  The analytic framework of  “Spatial Geodatabase System for Corn Production Monitoring in Isabela Province”  

The Soil and Water Resources Research Division (SWRRD) conducted its in-house assess-

ment of research and development project proposals on February 16 and 17, 2009 at the BSWM

under its officer-in-charge, Dr. Edna Samar.

Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) representatives, division heads and center chiefs of

BSWM, were present during the assessment which aims to strengthen the collaborative activi-

ties through research and development (R & D) of the two bureaus.

On his message, Director Silvino Q. Tejada reiterated to strengthen the R & D activities

and focus on research programs for upland and rainfed development. He pronounced other ma-

jor activities like organic agriculture and watershed management.

He also encouraged the submissions of study proposals that involve the Bureau’s center

stations at Bulacan, Bukidnon and Tanay. According to him, this is a great venue to strengthen

the facilieties of the extension arms for researches.

On the other hand, Dr. Amy Kagaoan of BAR, presented the agency’s mandates, goals,

objectives, and priority areas of concern for funding approval of project proposals. Dr. Kagaoan

added that BAR also provide infrastructure development in support for R & D facilities as well

as assistance for provision of scholarship and international trainings.

The two-day activity included four sessions with different topics of presentations, critiqu-

ing, and a plenary. Assistant Director Wilfredo E. Cabezon facilitated the agreements of discus-

sion and solicited commitments from the Bureau’s division heads on the improvement of pro-

posal packages. Several reviews were scheduled to follow for further evaluation of the propos-

als.

Jenny Anne L. Perlado

SWRRD evaluates R&D proposals COD staff trains on webpage development

Two of the Cartographic Operations Division (COD) attended webpage develop-ment training at the National Computer Cen-ter in UP Diliman that ended last March 11, 2009.

Teddy Fajardo, COD’s digital mapping expert, and Menchie del Rosario, the divi-sion’s acting secretary, joined Research Divi-sion’s, Frances Villajuan and Pina Creencia along with nine other participants in this training which started on February 16, 2009. Sponsored by the Commission on Informa-tion and Communications Technology through the National Computer Institute, the program was composed of two modules in a series of workshop, lectures and presenta-tions with written and practical exams in programming.

The primary aim of the training was to address the issues raised by the widespread use of information and communications tech-nology in the government service. COD lauded the efforts of the organizers as the division now has people with knowledge on webpage development and programming.

Andy Calimutan

Page 4 BSWM Update

GOAL 1 sets targets for 2009-10

The Goal 1/Convergence Secretariat had its annual Goal 1 Planning/Target Setting Workshop last December 9-10, 2008 at the NAFC Conference Room to review the updates and discuss next steps towards the achievement of the mandate of the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan of developing 2 million hectares of agribusiness lands and the generation of 2 million jobs by 2010.

The workshop was attended by the Goal 1 Focal Persons of the 16 Regional Field Units (RFU) and of the attached agencies namely, Philippine Coconut Authority, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Fiber Industry Development Authority. Ms. Luisa Jolongbayan from National Economic Development Authority and OIC Director Ma. Theresa Antimano of the Presidential Management Staff were also present to discuss the Revised Agribusiness Chapter of the MTPDP and the new Guidelines/Formats on Goal 1 Reports. The other presenters were; President Marriz B. Agbon, Head of the National Convergence Initiative (NCI) Secretariat, for Agribusiness Priorities and Opportunities, Mr. Rodel Carating, Technical Assistant to the BSWM Director, for the NCI and Environment and Rural Development (EnRD) Updates, and Mr. Raul Repulda, Planning Officer of RFU 8 for pointers on Strengthening NCI at the LGU Level. At the end of each lecture, a synthesis was conducted in a plenary form to discuss questions, clarifications and suggestions on the lectures.

Reports on demographic and topographic details of areas suitable for SMC-KUOK crops as discussed by President Agbon, and the Agribusiness Investment Plan (AIP) for the 16 priority provinces, which are included in the NCI priority project, were agreed upon to be submitted by the Regional Field Units during the workshop. They were also asked to submit their targets and Work and Financial Plans for 2009-2010.

Cesar Francis Labro

Antolin leads soil Survey activities

The Soil Survey Division

welcomed Engr. Gregorio Antolin as the new Officer in Charge by virtue of the cross posting that took effect last February 2, 2009. He was the former chief of the Agricultural Land Management and Evaluation Division (ALMED).

Engr. Antolin is expected to lead the soil survey projects aside from the collaborative ones with other divisions in research and development, water resources management and soil conservation. The division has started provincial fertility mapping in Eastern Samar and the in the municipalities of Vintar, San Nicolas and Batac City. Presently, it undertakes the soil component of the Landuse Assessment for Potential Agricultural Development and Investment of Albay Province.

In support to the full implementation of the Agri-Kalikasan, the Soil Survey Division is tasked to conduct fertility mapping of rice growing areas across the nation. This aims to assess the current fertility status of rice areas specifically on the level of macro and micro-nutrient and come up with a soil based data in the formulation of a sound fertility program. Currently, two of the Division’s staff are assigned in Valencia City to conduct soil resource survey. The soil- based data to be gathered will serve as guide for the proper landuse planning and future developments in the city.

Clarita Bacatio

BSWM trains personnel on Tricho Production and Use of STK

Hands-on training on Tricho Production and Use of Soil Test Kit (STK) was conducted last February 18, 2009 at Mamasapano, Maguindanao in response to the request of Mr. Modrika A Masukat, the Municipal Agricultural Officer (MAO) of the said town.

The newly trained personnel will lead the mass production of Trichodermae harzianum cultures in their newly set up mini-laboratory to support Agri-Kalikasan Program in the community which will cover 100 hectares this year.

The ten participants were trained by Ms. Josephine L. Nana and Ms. Leovenilda A. Fernandez from Laboratory Services Division. They were accompanied by Mr. Teodoro Bersabe, the Soil and water Area Coordinator (SWAC) at ARMM.

The trainors were likewise invited by Engr. Sukarno Datukan, UAS School administrator to attend the first harvest festival at Upi, Agricultural School located at upi, maguindanao. Engr. Datukan expressed interest in setting up a mini Tricho laboratory to support and sustain the Agri-Kalikasan Program in the area.

Josephine Nana

ALMED Chief Mr. Dominciano Ramos,  Jr.delivers a message on  the 

Modified  Rapid  Composting  Technology  during  the Mahayag Har‐

vest Festival. 

Agri-Kalikasan conducts Harvest Festivals

To showcase the Modified Rapid Composting Technology being promoted by the Agri-Kalikasan Program, a harvest festival and farmers’ field day was held in Mayahag, Zamboanga Del Sur last February 25, 2009.

The harvest festival in Mahayag was one of the continuing activity of the Agri-Kalikasan Program. During the 1st quarter of 2009, the MRC Production Farms conducted 7 Harvest Festivals in 4 Regions participated by 954 attendees including officials of Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Soils and Water Management Central Office. In Region 1, the first Harvest Festival was held in Naguilian, La Union followed by Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur. Other places that have conducted harvest festival are: Region 8- Catarman, Northern Samar; Region 9- Polanco, Zamboanga Del Norte and Zamboanga City; and Region 11- Carmen, Davao Del Norte. Harvest Festivals will continue in different regions until the end of the 2nd cropping of CY 2008-2009.

January - March 2009 Page 5

Q-IEC showcases organic farming

technologies

Promotion of organic farming technologies has gone to another level through the quad-information, education and communication campaign (Q-IEC) that officially took off in January 2009.

This Q-IEC campaign is one of the three components of the Organic Fields Support Program (OFSP): Phase I, a project supported by the Department of Agriculture and implemented by the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement and La Liga Policy Institute. The Bureau of Soils and Water Management is closely monitoring the Q-IEC activities in addition to the conduct of season-long trainings, establishment of learning farms in six rice producing provinces, and research and development.

Initial outputs of the campaign include a video-documentary featuring DA Secretary Atty. Arthur C. Yap talking about the prospects and challenges of organic agriculture in the Philippines, from the perspective of the government. The narrator of the video is artist-environmentalist Chin Chin Gutierrez. Print features and articles on organic farming advocacy and success stories have been written and published in major broadsheets of the country.

There are also on-going TV and radio shows about organic agriculture. Listeners could tune in at DZRB Radyo ng Bayan 738 khz every Sunday, 8:30-9:00 am. This program is hosted by Mr. Reggie Vizmanos and also available thru www.delicast.com. Likewise, the Go Organic TV program has started its maiden show at NBN Channel 4, 10:00–10:30 am last March 7, 2009. This show will last for 16 weeks and is being hosted by Ms. Angel Jacob.

Karen Salandanan

Salandanan re-echoes anti-oxidant study

The Soil and Water Resources Research Division sponsored an echo-seminar featuring the graduate study of a returned BSWM core staff last February 18, 2009.

Ms. Karen Salandanan presented “Comparative Analysis of Antioxidant

Properties and Quality Attributes of Organically and Conventionally Grown Melons (Cucumis melo L.)”. This study was a requirement for the partial fulfillment of her M.S. thesis in Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.A. The same paper was also presented in the annual conference of American Society for Horticultural Science in 2007.

After the presentation, an open forum followed that revolved around some

inquiries on the results and conclusion of the study, which were answered by the speaker. She emphasized that there is a need to examine crop quality and go beyond basic yield measurements when undertaking a comparison study between organic and conventional production systems.

Ms. Salandanan completed her Master of Science degree in horticulture major in

crop physiology, plant antioxidants and organic agriculture with a dual support from the Fulbright-Philippine Agriculture Scholarship Program and Colorado State University where she also served as a quarter-time research assistant.

Karen Salandanan

Karen Salandanan disvussing the poster presentation of her study on  “Comparative Analysis of Antioxidant Properties and Quality Attributes of Organically and Conventionally Grown Melons (Cucumis melo L.)”. 

T h e A g r i c u l t u r a l L a n d Management Division (ALMED) started the Soil/Land Resources Evaluation Study and Suitability Assessment in Sampaloc, Quezon with the outputs presented last March 30, 2009.

Through the invitation of Congressman Proceso Alcala of the 2nd District of Quezon, Assistant Director Wilfredo E. Cabezon attended the said presentation in behalf of Director Silvino Q. Tejada along with the ALMED personnel who did the assessment.

Another project, in partnership with the local government unit, had just started in Valencia City in Bukidnon. Field surveys are now being done in the province Occidental Mindoro with the municipalities of Looc and Lubang having been signed the memorandum of agreement with the bureau. A Comprehensive Land Use Plan-Strategic Agricultural and Fisheries development Zones (CLUP-SAFDZ) Integration Project is included in the MOA

Genevieve D. Piencenaves

ALMED commences more projects

Mr Silvino Fello put some field labels on the plastic bag for reference in a site in Sampaloc, Quezon.  

Page 6 BSWM Update

Remembering Sampaloc, Quezon fter four hours of travel, we finally arrived in Sampaloc, Quezon. The sceneries going here were quite the typical

provincial landscape: greeneries, tall coconut trees, no semblance of urban living. People were mostly farmers. The majestic Sierra Madre mountain range was a great backdrop as we felt relieved of the noise and stress back in Manila. Of course the reason we were here was to conduct the Land and Soil Resources Evaluation and Suitability Assessment of the Munici-pality of Sampaloc which started last October and ended mid of No-vember 2008. Our aim was to generate comprehensive set of soil and land resource information as basis for rural development and land use planning. As we were doing our jobs, we couldn’t deny the beauty of the place. It was like in films with a very good cinematography. The sites were breathtaking. There were so many tourist spots to visit while we were doing the study. Sampaloc was blessed to have eight falls (Asidillo as shown in the picture, Caldong, Pilipit, Kabute, Pugto-pugto, Tapal, Hanga and Buho), three caves (Kaghanopol, Malaog and Tangob), Lamesang bato and the Spanish time stone made ARKO

gate. We were just wondering how come this place was never mentioned in tourism

brochures. The long journey and stress brought by our work was all worth it. To be in this kind of place was a bliss for us. I am hoping that the Bureau would have another project here. I would volunteer right away to be assigned here.

Andy Evangelista

Mr. Freddie Odejar explains the boundary delineation of every barangay to Mr. Silvino Fello. 

       The  composite  team  from  the BSWM headed by Mr. Silvino Fello, posed for a send off with Hon. Mayor. Emmanuel  S. Torres, Hon. Vicente A. No‐brera  Jr,  SB Agricultural  Sector, Mrs.Nimfa Abra‐cia, Chief, MPDO and Mr. Rolando B. Credo, Chief, MAO. 

A

January - March 2009 Page 7

A TOAST FOR A JOB WELL DONE - THE SWRRD RETIREES OF 2009

VICTORCITO V. BABIERA Supervising Agriculturist – Soil Physics Who would have thought that Mr. Victorcito V. Babiera of the Soil Physics Section had his first job teaching children from Grades 3-6 ? For all his stature, one could never have imagined him standing in front of a classroom full of noisy children!! “ Boss Vic”, as what we call him, graduated in 1966 from Camarines Sur State Agricultural College, earning a degree in B.S. in Agricultural Education, major in Agronomy. Right after graduation, he was offered a job as a substitute teacher in Manguiring, Calabanga, Camarines Sur for three months. He then applied and got hired in the Philippine Coconut Authority as a casual employee, acting as provincial nursery-in-charge in Catanduanes. This stint continued until 1970, where he was involved in setting up another provincial nursery in Baler, Aurora. From 1970 to 1972, he got another job in the National Land Reform

Council (now Department of Agrarian Reform) and this time, was assigned in Cavite, rendering technical assistance to farmers. Envisioning that he had more to offer if given the chance to work under the Department of Agriculture, Boss Vic seized the opportunity

when the first examination for Soil Technologists was given in 1971.He took it and passed. This paved the way for him to be offered a permanent job as a Junior Soil Technologist under the Soil Survey Division. It was then that he became involved in the rehabilitation of flood-affected areas in Luzon, doing soil surveys and field experiments on soil fertility specifically in Calauan, Laguna. In 1974, he went back to the Central Office and became Senior Soil Technologist under the Soil Fertility Division.

In 1976, he was granted a PCARRD scholarship and studied in UPLB , taking up a Masteral Program in Soil Science. He transferred to the Soil Research Division as Supervising Agriculturist of the Soil Physics Section, a position he has been holding up to the present.

Having a keen sense of interest in his craft, he was given the opportunity to undergo special trainings abroad. In 1983, he spent 3 months in Trieste, Italy as a research fellow at the International Center for Theoretical Physics. He also specialized in mineralogy as a diplomate at the Agricultural University of Wagenigen, the Netherlands from 1985 to 1986; and in mineralogy and pedology in Japan under the Japan International Cooperation Agency in 1991. In 1996, he was invited as a resource speaker at the Nihon University, presenting a paper on the Agro-Pedology and Mineralogy of Volcanic Soils in The Philippines.

For all the years he had served in the Bureau, Boss Vic has earned quite a lot of achievements under his sleeve. These included his paper on “Correlation Between the Soil Genetic Properties and Diagnostic Indices of Phil. Carabao Mango” garnering the 2004 PSSST Best Paper (2nd place) and AFMA R&D Paper Awards during the 16th BAR National Research Symposium. Another award-winning paper he did was on “Etiology and Spatial Variation of Nutrient Imbalances of Paddy Rice Soils in the Philippines “, which garnered the 2005 Best Paper Award (1st place)and the National R&D Paper Award (2nd runner-up) during the 17th BAR National Research Symposium.

Boss Vic will be turning 65 years of age on his birthday, August 26, 2009, the day of his retirement. He resides in Alabang, Muntinlupa City with his wife, Ida and daughter, Fatima, 34, a computer secretarial graduate.

Mr. CARLOS F. SERRANO Sr. Agriculturist - Soil Physics

Who doesn’t know “ Mr. Suave” of the Research Division? Mr. Carlos Serrano, Senior Agriculturist under the Soil Physics Section, will surely be missed after he says goodbye to thirty-seven fruitful years of service in the BSWM. He plans to retire on Oct. 31 of this year.

“Caloy” to friends and colleagues in the SWRRD, he graduated from Araneta University Foundation in 1970 with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Major in Soils. He entered the BSWM as an emergency employee on May 4, 1970 under the Soil Physics Section, then located in M.Y. Orosa St., Ermita, Manila. His first job included doing menial tasks such as preparation and pulverization of soil samples for analysis. His enthusiasm and dedication in doing even the simplest job earned him a permanent job as Soil Research Aide in June 1972. From then on, he was exposed to the complex but rewarding world of soil physical analysis.

He got involved in the LREP-Bicol River Basin Project , doing on-field determination of infiltration rate as well as permeability and hydraulic conductivity of soils. He became highly specialized in the analyses of aggregate stability of soils and Xray diffractometer in determining soil mineralogy. His innovative and resourceful ideas were put to good use when was able to improvise the centrifugation method in determining soil moisture retention using excess materials and other unused gadgets of the section. He also did a study entitled “Evaluation of Recommended Land Management Practices and Cropping System for Different Crop Zones”.

He underwent several fruitful trainings which further enhanced his technical capability. He was sent to Australia for as a trainee under the ACIAR project and was also one of the chosen technical people who underwent training in soil physics in Japan sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Determination in honing his craft earned for him several citations. He was a co-author of two award-winning papers given by the Philippine Society of Soil Science and Tehcnology . The paper entitled “ Assessment of Soil Erodibility Using Rainfall Simulator “ won the PSSST Best Paper Award in 1999. This was followed by another paper entitled “ Erodibility Indices and Management Measures for Major Upland Soil in the Philippines” in 2003, which won the 2nd runner-up Best Paper Award. He was also a co-author in a paper entitled “Design, Fabrication and Calibration of a Portable Biogas Generator that was given a Special Award by the Bureau of Agricultural Research during the 2006 National Research Symposium.

Mr. Serrano resides in Soldier’s Hill, Muntinlupa City together with his wife, Evelyn. They are blessed with two sons - Christopher, 21, a Nursing graduate from University of Perpetual Help and Carlo, 18, a Commerce student at UST.

(Continued on page 10)

Page 8 BSWM Update

B U L A C A N

BOHOL

SUCCESS STORIES

ypically representing the critical problems and issues commonly experienced in the uplands of the country: land degradation due to unsus-tainable management practices. The land was left idle and without any vegetation. As expected, soil erosion is widespread contributing to siltation of reservoir of the SWIP and therefore, reduces its storage capacity and life span. This has negative impacts on the people who

depend on SWIP for irrigation. Consequently, urgent measures need to be done to address this problem. The project site is within the watershed of Sto. Niño Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP) located at Brgy. Sto. Niño, Talibon, Bohol, about

11 kilometers from the town proper. As a strategy in identifying priority needs of the farmers in the area, the team conducted a series of consultation meetings. The emphasis was

given on the current and potential livelihood opportunities in the area making use of available agricultural resources. Empowerment and capacity development of the local people were achieved through the conduct of trainings on soil and water conservation

technologies, soil fertility enhancement and agri-based livelihood opportunities. After the conservation techniques were conveyed to the people, the team had a workshop on livelihood activities such as processing of locally

grown crops such as santol, kamias, ube, malunggay, banana, cassava, mango, peanut, coconut and pineapple into food products, wine and vinegar. Some of the products such as peanut butter, banana chips and banana catsup are now commercially produced by the local people.

Food processing encouraged crops and product diversification thus, providing value-added benefits to crop production. These crops were inte-grated in the crop diversification scheme either as alley or hedgerow.

Regular consultations were done to assess the impact of the project’s activities, livelihood trainings, and formulation of action plan to further improve farm productivity and income. This ensures sustainability of natural resources for the present and future generations.

T

Situation: Water supply in Sitio Parungao, Brgy.

Sapang Bulak, Dońa Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan is very scarce resulting to low agricultural production. It has a rugged topography with rainfall from May to October only. This has been the story for the whole year, every year.

The cycle stopped after a team chose

Sitio Parungao as beneficiary site. The project began. A water storage and distribution system was constructed to improve the production system and income of the farmers. Potential water sources in the area were identified and the water resources development plan was implemented through cost-sharing with the farmer cooperators. The water system which consists of concrete weirs, concrete tanks and distribution pipes is being used for irrigation of diversified crops as well as for domestic purposes. This provided immense benefits not only to the farmers but to the entire community.

The availability of water supply allowed the establishment of fruit trees, mahogany and pineapple as vegetative barriers for soil

and water conservation. Contour farming was introduced in the

techno-demo sites. Likewise, cropping patterns were improved and farmers are now able to plant high-value commercial crops such as carrots and cabbage.

Community empowerment through capacity building increased the appreciation and awareness of the local community on introduced technologies. Livelihood trainings were conducted for women, mostly farmer’s wives, on mushroom production and food

processing. Farmers were also given values formation and leadership training, which equipped them with the right attitude to ensure the sustainability of the project.

Other activities that were made possible due to increased water availability in the area include establishment of nursery, organic farming technology and seed propagation technology. Project concluded.

Status: Another successful endeavor

January - March 2009 Page 9

TARLAC

These four stories were chronicled from the experi-ences of the staff that were part of the community-based watershed management program in different parts of the country. The people of the project ar-eas do not only benefitted from the technical sup-port and conservation methods imparted to them, but much more from the livelihood scheme the pro-jects brought along…

I L O C O S

S U R

Enriching Nature, Empowering Lives he Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur project site is situated at the eastern watershed part of the locality. It lies in the downstream area of a river system. The temporal variability and scarcity of rainfall is a natural constraint to livelihood improvement. The area is dominantly an agricultural zone. But due to lack of efficient irrigation system, only one cropping of rice per year is possible. Vegetables and corn are usually planted

after rice cropping to avoid the lands to be left idle or the farms are left fallowed for the rest of the year. The community has the farmers and a school that promotes common agricultural patterns. But still, the site can not function productively. The

project addressed the need to increase productivity and provide economic opportunities. The Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) was selected as the key institution that served as the outdoor laboratory.

A small farm reservoir inside the ISPSC campus was reconstructed. This served as the irrigation source for the site’s production area for pigeon pea and sweet sorghum, and consequently, the project’s techno-demo area. An agro-meteorological station was also established inside the school to provide relevant data for the development of suitable cropping patterns, reference for agricultural research studies and regional analysis, and for instructional purposes for the students. Likewise, a biogas generator was successfully installed inside the school campus. The technology created awareness among the students in the utilization of agricultural wastes as potential sources of energy and organic fertilizers. Collaborative endeavors with the school opened the eyes of the farmers, students and the community on the project benefits.

The site slowly crept back to be an ideal agricultural land. Livelihood trainings were conducted to increase farmers’ financial capacities as well as education programs for the technical know-how on soil and water conservation technologies. These trainings included farm waste recycling, composting, mushroom cultivation and mushroom spawn production, tomato processing and vinegar making, among others. In an attempt to reach out to nearby communities, the Danuman diversion dam and canals was rehabilitated. The existing water pump was reconditioned, and a pump house was constructed. This irrigation system has benefited 30 farmers with service area of 50 hectares. It is hoped that the project will serve as a catalyst in achieving progress in the community.

T

ocated in San Clemente, Tarlac, the Casipo micro-watershed is about 3.5 kilometers south of the town proper. It has an area of more than 90 hectares which are considered as arable lands. Most

of the farmers are members of the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) and San Clemente Farmers Cooperative Marketing (FACOMA). The existence of FFF and FACOMA for more than 50 years is the major reason for selecting Casipo as project site.

The watershed condition is marginal in terms of its physical attributes and absence of support facilities. The topography is gently rolling, dominantly covered with grasses with patches of trees and is characterized by shallow soils, moderately eroded and low soil fertility. Moreover, the area has rainfall for less than 6 months in a year and oftentimes experienced prolong dry spell. All these manifest the constraints of the area for crop productivity.

Cognizant of the vital role of sustained supply of water source for crop cultivation, the community listed the rehabilitation and construction of new Small Farm Reservoirs (SFR) as priority development objective. Thus, through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the BSWM and the FACOMA which is the project cooperator, the establishment of new three (3) units and rehabilitation of two (2) existing SFRs were realized. Also established as support facilities are: 1) 8m x 5m bunkhouse that served as storage room for crop inputs and farmers’ meeting place; 2) 4m x 5m nursery that was utilized by the community for seed propagation as source of livelihood; and 3) perimeter fence covering more than 400m of the techno-demo area.

The MOA signed between the BSWM and FACOMA stipulated the commitment of both parties to implement the needed infrastructure and support facilities. The FACOMA willingly shared more than 40% of the total cost consisting of labor and local materials. Equipments were provided by the municipal government unit.

The availability of water from the SFR coupled with soil and water conservation technologies demonstrated in the area enabled both the upland and lowland farmers to cultivate a second crop. The use of plastic mulch to conserve moisture during the dry season and to keep the

(Continued on page 11)

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Residents of Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur were taught on how to make vinegar (upper left). Livelihood opportunities were introduced to the women of San Clemente, Tarlac (above).

Page 10 BSWM Update

VIOLETA E. CASTANEDA Senior Agriculturist – Fabrication

Violet was the color of the day at the BSWM when Mrs. Violeta Castaneda celebrated his 65th birthday and retirement on Feb. 12, 2009. Standing up to her name and being her favorite color, violet was literally scattered around the Upper Dining -- from the chair covers, balloons, souvenir program, poster on the entrance, and on the token wrappers! Even her family members arrived dressed for the occasion –all in vibrant violet!

Mrs. Violeta Castaneda , or “ Ate Violy”, graduated from FEATI University with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. She entered the BSWM in October 20, 1969 as an emergency employee under the Mineralogy Section of the Research Division, then located in M.Y, Orosa St., Manila. Her academic background was put to good use as she was immediately immersed in laboratory activities, doing soil chemical analysis. She learned to love her job and decided to grab the first opportunity to stay in the agency for good. In 1972, she got the position of Clerical Aide to obtain permanent status. She was promoted to Junior Soil Technologist in 1973. She took, and passed, the Soil Technologist and Civil Service examinations in 1974. The following year, she became a full-pledged Chemical Engineer when she passed the board exams . She became Soil Technologist II , then Senior Soil Technologist under the Soil Biology Section. She held the position of Senior Agriculturist under the Fabrication Section until her retirement last February.

Due to dedication and hard work , Ate Violy was awarded Outstanding Team Leader of the Balanced Fertilization Strategy Techno-Demo Project in Region 10. She was also involved in the conduct of the ACIAR-funded project on “Management of Clay Soils for Lowland and Rice-Based Cropping System”, which won 2nd place in Best Research Paper. During her years of stay in the BSWM, she also underwent several technical trainings in various disciplines – from Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, to Statistical Analysis, to Xray Diffraction, to Computer Software Design and Development! Talk about technical diversity!

Ate Violy resides in Bacoor, Cavite with her husband, Virgilio of the Soil Survey Division. They are blessed with 3 children - Vrinsen , 30, Richie Valerie, 27, now based in the United States ; and Viola, 24, a newly-registered nurse.

PERLITA M. RAMOS Agriculturist II – Office of the Chief She could have been a teacher (obviously not the terror- type at that ); with her sweet smile and caring ways – but as fate would have dictated it, she devoted all her time and effort in providing her services at the BSWM – from the beginning, till her retirement in June. Mrs. Perlita Ramos, or “Pearly” to friends, finished her college education at the Philippine Normal University (formerly Philippine Normal College) with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education major in Home Economics. She joined the agency in January 16, 1972 as a

casual employee under the Personnel Services Section, doing paper works. She caught the eye of Mr. Benjamin Ramos, then Soil Technologist I under the Soil

Research Division, and they got married in 1974. As a young wife, she dreamed of being able to give the best of herself in the profession she has learned to love. With the desire to improve herself, she took and passed the Soil Technologist Examination given in 1977. Lady Luck continued to smile on her as she was immediately offered a permanent position as Soil Technician under the Radioisotope Section of the Research Division in the same year. To further improve her technical capability, she underwent training for two months at the UPLB in Soil Fertility and Fertilizers.

In 1986, her husband decided to leave the government service for good, to seek greener pastures abroad. Undaunted, Ate Pearly continued to effectively raise their children well, now professionals and successful in their chosen careers. She was promoted to Agriculturist II in 1999 – a position she holds up to the present. She continues to effectively perform her duties as Liaison Officer in the division, being designated as its official canvasser. She has shown flexibility and good demeanor in all situations especially when problems arise in the preparation and processing of vouchers.

Ate Pearly plans to retire by June 30, 2009 – a fulfilled wife, mother and professional. She happily resides in Pacita Complex, San Pedro, Laguna with her husband. Their children , now all professionals, have established their own families - John Bertrand, an architect, is based in Kuwait; Peter Brian, 32, is a Respiratory Therapist based in Qatar, and daughter Mary Sharima , 29, is a Senior Marketing Staff at Banco de Oro.

Jacqueline S. Rojales

SWRRD Retirees. . . (Continued from page 7)

BSWMEA members attend 2009 Women Entrepre-neurship Summit

Ten women representatives from the

Bureau of Soils and Water Management Employees Association attended the “Go Negosyo: Babae, Yaman Ka ng Bayan” Women Entrepreneurship Summit held last March 2, 2009 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship

(PCE) Chief Executive Officer Joey Concep-cion delivered messages reiterating the need to change the way we think. “Continue to hope, as hope builds confidence”, he added. Myrna Yao, National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women, enjoined all atten-dees to help eliminate poverty by creating jobs and emphasized that the only way to progress is through entrepreneurship.

The more than 5000 participants lend

their ears to officials from the Departments of Trade and Industry, Science and Technol-ogy, and Social Welfare and Development as they offered support on how they can help women in micro-small and medium-scale entrepreneurs.

“Mother of All Mother Entrepreneurs”

awards were given to Ms. Socorro Ramos (National Bookstore), Dr. Helen Benitez (Philippine Women’s University) and Ms. Eulalia Razon Baylon (Immaculate Concep-cion College-Albay). The three awardees were featured in a video presentation, “Babae: Yaman Ka ng Bayan”, highlighting their transformation from being an ordinary to extraordinary, from visionary to legendary and from a teacher to being a leader.Forums and discussions followed the awarding rites with entrepreneurs and business owners serv-ing as panelists.

Aurora M. Manalang

Carating heads PEG

Mr. Rodelio B. Carating is now the

new head of Planning and Evaluation Group (PEG). It has two (2) units: Plan-ning and Policy Unit headed by Ms. Sharon de Vera assisted by Ms. Raquel Rico and the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (MEU) headed by Janet G. Op-erario and assisted by Joyce J. Sanchez pursuant to SO No. 32, S.2009.

Janet Operario

January - March 2009 Page 11

weeds out during the wet season was demonstrated through the cultivation of ampalaya. This practice reduced the use of chemical weedicide and promoted efficient use of soil moisture while ensuring high production and farm income.

In the downstream part of the watershed where lowland rainfed rice is being practiced, SFR provided supplemental irrigation during the dry season while ensuring supply during the wet season. This allowed the second cropping of rice with relatively good yield.

The bunkhouse served as venue for capacity building of the community to introduce livelihood opportunities particularly for women. Livelihood trainings were focused on simple yet profitable enterprise that would effectively utilize available local materials with market potential.

The demonstration of interventions and technologies in the area attracted the adjacent communities to adopt the development activities. One of the communities that signified their intention was the Gawad Kalinga (GK) 3 located about 1.5 km upstream. As an outreach community, the GK 3 community was provided technical support in terms of development plan preparation, hands-on training on contour establishments and livelihood trainings. About 100 pieces of planting materials were also provided through the DA-RFU III.

It can be emphasized then that through this project and with the sincere commitment of the community, the previously idle land was transformed into a productive land and a source of agri-based livelihood.

Community-based watershed program is a collaborative project between: the Bureau Of Agricultural Research (BAR) as the funding agency, technical assistance from the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management as the lead implementing agency. Respective Regional Field Units (RFUs) of the project areas and different farmers federations were also part of this undertakings.

Success Stories. . . (Continued from page 9)

CROSS- POSTING: Debacle or opportunity?

(a personal account from the sidelines)

During the last staff meeting for 2008, Director Tejada literally dropped a bomb-shell! For everybody present during that meeting, there was no hint of what was com-ing.

Without any fanfare, he announced his plan for cross-posting of Division and Center Chiefs to be implemented early 2009. From my personal view, it elicited mixed reactions from the staff: surprise and doubt, initially. According to Dir. Tejada, this was brought about by his desire to provide his manage-ment team the learning experience that will enable them to gain more insights into the processes of other divisions/units. He has grand plans for the BSWM and he wants to create a broader knowledge base of the different areas of concerns in the agency. This initiative may ultimately facilitate changes in perspective and widening of horizons.

The cross-posting of Division Chiefs is not new to the BSWM. Asst. Director Cabezon, the only remaining player from the batch that was previously cross-posted, shared his experience and how he was enriched by it. If anybody would care to re-member, he was then the ALMED Chief before he was assigned to the Water Re-sources Management Division.

The issuance of Administrative Order No. 1 dated January 5, 2009 initially caused some confusion which was later ironed out. Like the good soldiers that they are, our Division and Center Chiefs accepted their new assignments and while everything is not yet running as smoothly as desired, they are taking it one step at a time and they are definitely getting there. From the sidelines, I would like to say “Kudos to you, Ma’ams and Sirs!”

For my colleagues from the rank and file, this period is fraught with apprehension. For most of us now, we are in the “getting to know you” stage. Some will resist the changes that will come with the new leadership, some will be willing to give it a try and learn to embrace it. I trust that later on, if not yet now, we will all see it as an opportunity for growth. An inspirational book author by the name of Karen Kaiser Clark very aptly puts it: Life is change. Growth optional. Choose wisely.

Nancy C. De Sagun

OUR LATEST RETIREE: “Mr. Bundy Clock”

Last quarter of 2008 marked the initial test runs of our newest acquisition, the “Aktatek” fingerscanner, a pet project of the Personnel Section. It came with mi-fare access ID cards, the design of which was courtesy of our Training and Information Dissemination Service Group.

This January, we officially retired our bundy clock who has served us well for more than 5 years. This has been long coming. Current times demand the shift from manual to automated system. The new biometric timekeeping system ensures accurate em-ployee work-hour recording and coupled with the Attendance and Leave Monitoring System (ALMS) provided to us by ITCAF, hours of manual processing was saved. This allowed time for our Personnel Section staff to spend it productively acting on other per-sonnel concerns.

We are currently fine-tuning the system with the assistance of Mr. Noel Castro of ITCAF, one of the brains behind the ALMS. We have already provided employees with the initial printouts of the Daily Time Re-cords for the month of January. As with all new systems installed, we cannot expect to perfect it in one try. This is our first attempt at automating our attendance monitoring system and as expected, minor problems were encountered and some adjustments have to be made. Initial reactions were var-ied, but everything is slowly falling into place. Hopefully, by March, all the glitches in the system will be fixed and it will be smooth sailing from thereon.

Nancy C. De Sagun

Page 12 BSWM Update

Limay, Bataan and in the City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan wherein upland farmers have been adopting the technologies which the bureau had introduced. Other places that were visited includes the National Soil and Water Resources Research Center in Tanay, Rizal, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)-Philippines and the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), all within the vicinity of the University of the Philippines at Los Baños.

Eva Dacumos Baldwin Pine

Bhutan. . . (Continued from page 1)

The Buhutanese delegates examining the contour line in Limay Guided Farm (top photo). Chief Marcelina Palis briefs the dele‐gates on some laboratory apparatus (above). 

The BSWM Employees Association (BSWMEA) held its general assembly and election of officers last March 23, 2009 at the Lopez Hall. Mr. Jose “Bobby” Man-guerra, together with the rest of the 2007-2009 set of officers and board of trustees, also officially ended their 2-year term of office.

“I am thanking you, my co-employees for trusting me to lead the association. I will always remember these two years of my presidency, for it bonded the employees stronger and the goals of the EA has been achieved. I am hoping that the active support and cooperation between and among the members and the incoming officers/Board Of Trustees of the Association would always prevail”, Manguerra said in his speech.

In the President’s Report, the financial status of the association has been stable and

Officers & Board of Trustees BSWMEA 2007-2009

reported that the cash on hand has increased. After the report, nominations for officers was done. Employees voted to office were: Jovette Tenorio - ISRIS Jose Manguerra - Soil Conservation Amy Yambot - Research Elvira Bautista - Vilma Quimson - Laboratory Francia Camua - Budget Cons Mangao - Laboratory Pet Ocampo - TIDS Meng Pangco - Cartography Gani Urriza - Soil Conservation Sonia Salguero - BAC Renel Bernardino - Research Lourdes Galanta - ALMED Celia Grospe - Research Ariel Almeda - Cartography.

Jovette Tenorio

BSWM UPDATE BUREAU OF SOILS AND WATER MANAGEMENT

Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City Articles and other contributions should be sent to editorial

office located at ISRIS, c/o the BSWM Update Editor

CORRESPONDENTS THIS ISSUE Janet Operario, Edna Lynn Floresca ,Jovette Tenorio,

Cecilia Orlanes, Andy Calimutan, Jenny Anne Perlado, Cesar Francis Labro, Josephine Nana, Clarita Bacatio,

Karen Salandanan, Genevieve Piencenaves, Aurora Manalang, Andy Evangelista, Jacqueline Rojales, Nancy de Sagun,

Eva Dacumos, Baldwin Pine, Agri-Kalikasan Group . . .

ALMED, Water Research Division, Soil Conservation Division, Research Division for the Success Stories

Aurora M. Manalang

Editor

Rodelio B. Carating Asst. Dir. Wilfredo E. Cabezon

Director Silvino Q. Tejada Editorial Advisers

BSWMEA holds General Assembly and Election of Officers