First lab managers’ meeting of the South-East Asia Laboratory NETwork (SEALNET 2.0) - Quality improvement in Asian soil laboratories: towards standardization and harmonization of soil analyses and their interpretation, Bogor, Indonesia, 20 - 24 November 2017.

1. LABORATORY SERVICES
DIVISION
PHILIPPINES
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
BUREAU OF SOILS AND WATER MANAGEMENT
Quezon City, Metro Manila

3. Vision
Center of Excellence in Soil
and Water Testing in
Agriculture and
Environment by 2020

4. Mandate
1. Provide technical support services through the conduct of
laboratory analysis on soils and water [plant tissues,
fertilizer and compost].
2. Provide fertilization guides and recommendations.
3. Provide support services to the technical divisions of the
bureau, public and private sectors, academe, NGOs and
farmers.
4. Provide trainings in chemical testing of soil, water, plant
tissue and fertilizer.
5. Provide leadership role in the implementation of PD 1435 -
to supervise, regulate and control the establishment
and operations of soil laboratories.

5. Milestone and Roadmap
2014-2015
Acquisition of equipment thru
PHILCCAP, ACIAR, OAP
April 13, 2015 – Start ISO/IEC
17025:2005 implementation
2016
77% Regular positions filled up
 June 15, 2016 - ISO/IEC
17025: 2005 Accreditation for 12
parameters
 Acquisition of equipment thru
GEF5-SLM
2017
 Continue filling up of position
 Approval of the Tier 2 proposal for
2018-2020 implementation:
Upgrading of Laboratory
Facilities and Equipment of the
BSWM Laboratories
 Strengthening the Capacities of
BSWM and RSL in the Operation
and Establishment of Soils
Laboratories as per PD 1435
2018
 Start Implementation of Tier 2 Programs
 Expansion of laboratory services to the
Bulacan & Bukidnon Research Centers
(Phase 1)
 Island-wide Consultation & Capacity
Building of LSD and RSLs
Implementation of RA 10657 (Chemistry
Law) 2019
 Expansion of laboratory
services to the Tanay
Research Center (Phase
2)
Draft IRR and guidlines
for implementation of
PD1435
All RSL lab capacitated
and stakeholders
consulted
Additional parameters to
include all micronutrients
and bases accredfied,
biological test
2020
 All soil & water parameters accredited to
ISO/IEC 17025
 BSWM Research Centers and RSLs
capacitated for ISO/IEC 17025
accreditation
 IRR developed for PD 1435
 Expansion of services to include Heavy
Metal Analysis in Soil & Water
Adoption of ISO:IEC:17025:2017

6. Number of staff: 23 permanent (16 women, 7 men)
Experience in lab testing:
> 5 years
< 5 years
15 persons
2 persons
Experience in lab management:
> 5 years 7 persons
Laboratory Staff
7 contractuals (5 women, 2 men)

9. Sections
• Soil Chemistry
- conducts soil analysis in support for fertilizer
recommendation, soil classification, mapping, and
correlation studies.
• Water Chemistry
- conducts analysis to determine the suitability of
water for irrigation purposes, thereby ensuring
good quality of water which is vital in crop
production.
• Soil Physics
- deals with soil analysis to determine the soil distinct
physical properties that serve as guide to soil
classification and agricultural land evaluation and
management.

10. Sections
• Soil Microbiology
- involved in the microbiological analysis of soil, water, fertilizer,
and microbial inoculants in support to different projects,
researches, and studies of BSWM, LGUs, NGOs, and SUCs
for sustainable agriculture.
• Rapid Soil Test
- conducts and develops on-farm and qualitative quick tests on
soil using Soil Test Kit to assess nutrient status such as the
macro elements N,P,K and the secondary and micro
nutrients such as Ca, Mg, Zn.
• Instrumentation and Technical Equipment
Maintenance
- responsible for the effective maintenance and efficient repair
of precision and other laboratory equipment, and
performance of calibration testing.

11. The Rationalized Laboratory Services Division
Chief Agriculturist
GINA P. NILO, Ph.D.
SOIL
CHEMISTRY
SECTION
Chemist III
Florfina Sanchez
Senior Agriculturist
Maribel Jalalon
Chemist II
Lady Rachelle Macaraeg
Chemist II
Ezra Mae Baterina
Lab Tech III
Evelyn Ramos
Agriculturist II
Godofredo Ramos, Jr.
Lab Tech I
____________
WATER
CHEMISTRY
SECTION
Chemist IV
Madonna Go Lim Tai
Chemist III
Shirley Buduan
Agriculturist II
Delia Sadiasa
Chemist I
Vince St. Mesias
Lab Tech I
Arthur Baraoidan
SOIL
PHYSICS
SECTION
Supervising
Agriculturist
Gloria Urriza
Agriculturist II
Tom Balando
Agriculturist II
_____________
Agriculturist I
Jaime Pascual
SOIL
MICRO-
BIOLOGY
SECTION
Agriculturist II
Grace Sheila Jalani
Agriculturist II
Aurora Manalang
Lab Tech II
Jose Pepito Espineli
RAPID SOIL
TEST
SECTION
Supervising
Agriculturist
Beatriz Magno
Senior Agriculturist
Agnes Morada
Agriculturist II
_____________
INSTRUMENTATION
& TECHNICAL
EQUIPMENT
MAINTENANCE
SECTION
Chemist IV
Edna Lynn Floresca
Chemist II
_____________
Lab Tech II
Joseph Malapitan
Lab Tech III
Armelyn Galicia
Chemist II
_____________
_____________
Agriculturist II
_____________
Agriculturist II
15 Agriculturist (50%)
9 Chemist(30%)
6 Lab Tech (20%)
Total 30

12. The Laboratory Services Division has 26 rooms and covered
an area of approximately 1138 square meters.
The Laboratory
11
1010
99 88
77 66 55 44
33 22
1616
1414 13131515
1212 1111
3rd
Floor

13. Rooms Area (m­­­
2
)
1 LSD Office of the Chief 30.49
2 Conference Room 30.49
3 Soil Chemistry Staff Room 40.65
4 Releasing Office 40.65
5 Water Chemistry & STK Staff Room 40.65
6 Pantry 40.65
7 Water Still Room 20.33
8 Chemistry 1 Laboratory / RST 81.3
9 Chemistry 2 Laboratory 101.6
10 Instrument Room 60.98
11 Nitrogen Distillation Room 40.65
12 Fume Hood – Hot Room 40.65
13 Sample Room 40.65
14 Weighing Room 20.33
15 Technical Instrument – New Stock Room 40.65
16 Chemical Storage 60.98
17 Soil Physics Laboratory (4th
Floor) 81.3
18 Soil Physics Staff Room (4th
Floor) 40.65
19 Biology Laboratory Room (4th
Floor) 40.65
20 Culture Laboratory Room (4th
Floor) 40.65
21 Biology Staff Room (4th
Floor) 40.65
22 Prep Laboratory (4th
Floor) 20.33
23 Microscope Room (4th
Floor) 20.33
24 Inoculation and Sterilizer Room (4th
Floor) 20.33
25 Drying Room (Ground Floor) 40.65
26 Soil Preparation Room (Ground Floor 60.98

14. Laboratory HallwayLaboratory Hallway

15. Chemistry Lab 1Chemistry Lab 1
Chem I Lab Side (a) Chem I Lab Side (b)

16. Water Still RoomWater Still Room Instrument RoomInstrument Room

17. NitrogenNitrogen
Distillation RoomDistillation Room Hot RoomHot Room

18. Sample RoomSample Room Weighing RoomWeighing Room

19. Stock RoomStock Room Stock Room – Acid CabinetStock Room – Acid Cabinet

20. Soil Microbiology LabSoil Microbiology Lab Soil Physics LabSoil Physics Lab

21. Drying RoomDrying Room

22. Laboratory
Equipment

23. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer Microwave Oven Digester
UV-VIS Spectrophotometer Nitrogen Digestion Unit with Scrubber
PhilCCAP-World
Continuous Upgrading of the Laboratory Facilities
2014-2015

24. Mid-infrared SpectrophotometerIon-selective Electrode
Oven Top Loading Balance with Mixer
Australian Center for International Agricultural Research
Continuous Upgrading of the Laboratory Facilities
2014-2015

25. Sand Fraction Shaker
Plant Tissue Grinder
Analytical Balance
Cathode lamps for Heavy Metal Analysis
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PROGRAM (OAP)
Continuous Upgrading of the Laboratory Facilities
2015

26. Rehabilitated the Hot (Digestion) Room
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE PROGRAM (OAP)
Continuous Upgrading of the Laboratory Facilities
2015

27. CHNS Elemental
Analyzer
Soil Grinder
GEF5 UNDP-Sustainable Land Management
Continuous Upgrading of the Laboratory Facilities
2016

28. • Certification from Australian
Soil and Plant Analysis
Council Inc. (ASPAC) for pH,
EC, Moisture Content, Exch.
K, OC (W&B), P (Olsen &
Bray)
Proficiency Testing

29. • Certification from Minnesota Department of
Agriculture for pH, EC, P (Olsen & Bray), K
(Ammonium Acetate), SOM (W&B), Na, Zn, Cu, Fe
Proficiency Testing

30. Awarded in June 15, 2016 &
valid until June 14, 2021
Scope of Accreditation
Soil pH, EC, OC, N,
P (Bray 1 and
Olsen), K, CEC
Water pH, EC, P, K
Additional Scope of Accreditation PAB
approved- 1st
Surveillance Visit and
Special Assessment conducted on April
25-27, 2017.
Soil OC (colorimetric
method), Available
Zn & Fe,
Particle Size
Water Sodium
LSD is ISO/IEC 17025:2005
Accredited

31. SOIL CHEMICAL
Analytical Services Offered

32. SOIL PHYSICAL
Analytical Services Offered

33. SOIL SALINITY/ALKALINITY
Analytical Services Offered

34. WATER CHEMICAL
Analytical Services Offered

35. WATER SALINITY/ALKALINITY
Analytical Services Offered

36. FERTILIZER ANALYSIS – Inorganic, organic, foliar fertilizers
Analytical Services Offered

37. PLANT TISSUE ANALYSIS
Analytical Services Offered

38. MICROBIAL ANALYSIS – Soil, water and fertilizer/compost
Analytical Services Offered

39. SOIL TEST KIT (STK) ANALYSIS
Analytical Services Offered

40. • Production and distribution of STKs
STK - a complete package of
soil testing for the analysis of
soil pH, N, P, and K.
RST - a complete package
of soil testing for the quick
analysis of soil Ca, Mg, and
Zn.

41. Other LSD Programs
• Sustaining ISO accreditation and expansion of scope of
accreditation
– Continuing training of laboratory staff
– Continuous upgrading of laboratory facilities and
equipment
– Participation in proficiency testing programs (ALP,
ASPAC)
 90% tests passed in ALP
 100% tests passed in ASPAC

42. Other LSD Programs
• Participate in FAO Global Partnership Network and
in ASEAN Partnership Network (Pillar 5)
• Participation in the local and foreign assisted
projects: SHA-NSST Phase II, Cacao Project, ACIAR,
GEF5-SLM
• Laboratory support to BSWM technical divisions
and research centers

43. Support Function to NSST Phase II Project
Briefing/Orientation on the Use
of STK in Baler, Aurora
June 21-23, 2017
Briefing/Orientation on the Use
of STK in Lagaue, Ifugao
May 16-18, 2017

44. Hands-on-Training on the Use of
STK in Siquijor, Siquijor
May 16-18, 2017
Support Function to NSST Phase II Project

45. Hands-on-activities during
Fertilizer Analysis Training
for RSLs
May 16-19, 2017
Trainings Conducted for DA-RSLs

46. Training for Analysis of Micronutrients
in Soil, Fertilizer, Plant Tissue and
Water, and Bio-N Quality Control and
Trichoderma Production
June 27-30, 2017
Fertilizer Analysis Training for
RSLs
May 23-26, 2017
Trainings Conducted for DA-RSLs

47. Publications
• Updated Manual for
Soil, Water, Plant
Tissue and Fertilizer
Analysis
June 2014
 Guide to Fertilizer
Recommendation for
Rice and Corn
(ISBN: 978-971-0583-18-8)

48. ISO/IEC 17025:2005 Manuals

49. • Gawad Saka Search for Outstanding Rural Improvement Club (RIC)
Local Commitments Undertaken
• Search for National Organic Agriculture Achievers Award (NOAAA) Winners

50. Data Interpretation
Soil Fertility Factor Very High High Medium Low Very Low
pH H2O 1:1 >9.0
Extremely Alkaline
8.5 – 9.0
Strongly Alkaline
7.9 – 8.4
Moderately Alkaline
7.3 – 7.8
Slightly Alkaline
6.7 – 7.2
Near Neutral
6.1 – 6.6
Slightly Acid
5.6 – 6.0
Moderately Acid
4.4 – 5.5 <4.4
Electrical Conductivity
(mS/cm)
>2.0 0.8 – 2.0 0.4 – 0.08 0.15 <0.15
Exchangeable K
(cmol/Kg)
>1.2 0.6 – 1.2 0.3 – 0.6 0.1 – 0.3 <0.1
Exchangeable Mg
(cmol/Kg)
>7 3 – 7 1 – 3 0.5 – 1 <0.5
Exchangeable Ca
(cmol/Kg)
>20 10 – 20 2 – 10 1 – 2 <1
Exchangeable Na
(cmol/Kg)
>2 0.7 – 2 0.3 – 0.7 0.1 – 0.3 <0.1

51. Data Interpretation
Soil Fertility Factor Very High High Medium Low Very Low
Base Saturation % 80 – 100 60 – 80 30 – 60 20 – 30 <20
Cation Exchange
Capacity (meq/100g)
>40 25 – 40 15 – 25 10 – 15 <10
Organic Matter
Percentage
>34.4 17.2 – 34.4 6.88 – 17.2
3.44 –
6.88
<3.44
Exchangeable Acidity
(meq/100g)
>5 2 – 5 0.5 – 2 0.1 - 0.5 <0.1
Available P (mg/Kg)
Olsen-P
Bray-P
>50 30-50
>40
20 – 30
20 – 40
10 – 20
10 - 20
<10
<10

52. Data Interpretation
Soil Fertility Factor Adequate Low Deficient
Cu (DTPA) (mg/Kg) >0.2 <0.2 -
Fe (DTPA) (mg/Kg) >4.5 2.5 – 4.5 <2.5
Mn (DTPA) (mg/Kg) >1 <1 -
Zn (DTPA) (mg/Kg) >1.2 0.8 – 1.2 <0.8
Reference: Lindsay and Norvell (1978)

53. How many routine laboratories exist in your
country?
•Under DA Regional Soils Laboratory
Are they ‘mobile’ laboratories?
•NO
Are the soil test kits commonly used?
•YES
16
Soil analysis in the country

54. • Highly competent staff/analysts
• Equipped with State of the Art equipment
• Follows standard method for soil and water
analyses
• Strong management support
Strengths of the Laboratory

55. • Additional manpower (Chemists, Chemical
Technicians, etc.)
• More technical trainings
• Upgrade laboratory facilities
• Expansion of Laboratory Services to BSWM’s 3
Centers
• Expansion of services to include heavy metal
analysis in soil and water
• ISO Accreditation of all soil and water parameters
What to improve in the
Laboratory

56. • Stronger ties with other South-East Asian
Laboratories
• Harmonization of analytical methods
between and among different laboratories
in South–East Asia
What do you wish to get
improved after our meeting ?

57. For any inquiry or request, please contact:
Dir. Angel C. Enriquez, CESO III
OIC Director, BSWM
Attention: Gina P. Nilo, Ph.D.
Chief, Laboratory Services Division
Or email us at:
angelenriquez.bswm@gmail.com
ginapnilo@gmail.com
Or call us at:
(632) 923-0492
(632) 923-0456 fax

58. THANK YOU
AND
GOD BLESS US ALL