Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRES S
Second Regular Session
HousEBILLNo.9854
Introduced by REP. ENILI0 BERNARDIN0 L. YULO
EXPLANATORY NOTE
'1
According to data from the Food and Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asian and
Pacific Region in 2015, the Philippines is an agricultural country with a land area of 30 million
hectares, 47% of which is agricultural land cultivated by over 5 million farmers. Agriculture has
been a vital aspect of the Philippine economy and continues to be a crucial sector, employing a
large  portion  of the  population  and  conthbuting  to  the  countly's  overall  economic  growth.
Agriculture  must  be  transfomed  into  a  dynamic,  high-growth  industry  if the  country  is  to
accelerate  recovery,  reduce poverty,  and  achieve  inclusive  growth.  Soil  testing  is  critical  to
improving agricultural productivity, sustainabilrty, and the overall well-being of famers and the
country.
This bill seeks to establish a Soil Testing I+aboratory Facility in each agricultural district
in  the  Philippines  which  shall  primarily  study  the  inpact  of soil  productivity,  conduct  soil
research projects, collaborate with relevant government agencies to provide teehnical assistance
in soil erosion prevention, fertilrty preservation, and other related areas, ultimately assisting both
individual famiers and the nation's agricultural system.
As the country faces the challenge of ensuring food security for the rising population,
increasing  agricultural productivity through proper soil testing and nutrient management  can
boost the country's food production capacity and reduce reliance on inports.  Soil degradation
and nutrient depletion are also major environmental concerns in several parts of the Philippines.
Soil testing allows  authorities  and famers to monitor and treat these issues,  improving  soil
health and preventing further degradation. Farmers who operate on small plots of land can galn
access to soil testing facilities to make infomed decisions about their crops, resulting to better
yields and improved livelihoods.


The Bureau of Soils and Water Management @SWM), established under the Department
of Agriculture @A), serves as the sole national soil resouree agency in the country. Its range of
services  includes   soil  resource  assessment  and  mapping,   agricultural  and  water  resource
management, analytical services, and soil and water resource research and development. As the
Local Government Code grants local governments the authority to provide agricultural extension
services to individual famers, BSWM expands its service offedng to include farmer groups as
well,  allowing them to access technical assistance on issues related to  soil and water-related
agriculture production constraints.
The establishment of soil testing laboratory facilities in the agricultural districts of the
country is essential for the improvement of crop productivity through helping local farmers in
detemining the nuhient content and pH levels of their soil and allowing them to apply the right
amount and type of fertilizer and other inputs. The said facility can irmediately prevent erosion
and  soil  degradation  by  determining  the  soil  physical  propedes.  It  also  enables  farmers,
policymakers, and researchers to make infomed decisions that benefit the country's agricultural
sector and its people.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is eanestly sought.
INO L. YULO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
I`ITNETEENTH CONGRE SS
Second Regular Session
HoUsEBILLNo.9854
Introduced I.y REP. Erml0 BERNARDINO L. YULO
AN ACT ESTABLISIHNG A SOIL TESTING LABORATORY FACILITY IN EACH
AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN THE PELIPPINES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
TIIEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House Of Representotives  Of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1.  SHorf Zlitle This Act shall be known as the "Soil Facility Act of
2023„.
SEC. 2. Decfaxndo7I a/Potty.  It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
accelerate agricultural development by optimizing the use of resources such as soils with
the  goal  of  attalning  food  security  for  domestic  use  and  expanding  agricultural
production for export.
SEC.  3.  Sol./  rfsrfug Zndonfrory  Flfzalfty7.  There  shall  be  established  a  Soil
Testing Laboratory Facility in each agricultural district in the Philippines which shall
primarily study the impact of soil productivity, conduet soil research projects, collaborate
with  relevant  goverrment  agencies  to  provide  technical  assistance  in  soil  erosion
prevention, firfulity preservation, and other related areas, ultimately assisting individual
famers and the country's agricultural system.
Existing facilities that would meet the minimum standards or could be upgraded
to effectively serve as Soil Testing Laboratory facilities could be designated as such in
compliance with the LGU where the facility in each agricultural district is situated.
SEC.  4.  F«if cfro»si   Each  Soil  Testing  Laboratory  Facility  shall  have  the
following functions, including but not limited to:


a.   To provide services in chemical analysis and soil testing to famers and the
general public and provide a basis for futlizer usage recommendations;
b.   To  provide  an  index  of soil  nutrient  availability  and  detemine  whether
fertilizer will be profitable;
c.   To evaluate the soil fndlity condition and a district-level foundation for soil;
d.   To establish guidelines, procedures  and techniques  for the analysis of soil,
fertilizers and other essential agricultural production components; and
e.   To identify problem soil areas for researeh and development and thereafter
fomulate strategies, programs, standards, techniques, and procedures for the
facility' s effective operation in accordance with the policies of the DA.
SEC.  5.  qpenrfu»  ¢»d „a»¢ge"c»£  The  facility  shall  be  under  the  direct
supervision of the Dapament of Agriculture @A) in collaboration with the Bureau of
Soils  and  Water  Management  Q}SWM),  which  shall  ensure  effective  soil  resources
utilization by undertaking projects and research on soil conservation,  soil testing,  and
other related activities. They are also hereby authorized to issue rules and regulations for
their proper use and maintenance.
SEC.  5. iReporfug and iRecondz.»g.  The  Soil Testing Laboratory Facility  shall
record all findings and recommendations, and shall liaport to the DA in accordance with
its cument reporting system.
SEC. 6. Paso»»ch The Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the local
government   units   a,GUs)   concerned,   shall   create   positions   and   detemrine   the
qualification of the laboratory persomel needed to operate the facility.
SEC.  7.  4zapropnfronsi  The  Secretary  of  Agriculture  shall  include  in  the
Departrnent's  program  the  establishment  and  operationalization  of  a  Soil  Testing
Laboratory Facility in each respective agricultural districts, the funding of which shall be
included in the budget of the DA under the armual General Appropriations Act (GAA).
SEC. 8. Jixp/eme»tofioth The DA, in coordination with the respective LGUs of
the districts, and other concerned agencies, shall formulate, identify, and promulgate the
implementing niles and regulations necessary to cany out the purposes of this Act.


SHC.   9.   Sep¢rab#try   Cfousa   If  any   provision   of  this   Act   is   declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions, which are not affected thereby,  shall
continue to be in full foree and effect.
SEC.  10.  IRepandf.»g  Cfo«sa   Any  law,  decree,  ordinance  or  administrative
circular not consistent with any provision of this Act is hereby amended, repealed,  or
modified accordingly.
SEC.11. EjorGrfurty7 CJ¢#se This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general
circulation.
Approved,