TABUK CITY, Kalinga – In line with the request of the Office for the City Agricultural Services (OfCAS) for the establishment of a soil and water laboratory in the city, the Bureau of Soil and Water Management- Laboratory Services Division (BSWM-LSD) paid a courtesy call to the Office of the City Mayor Darwin Estrañero on September 26, 2023.
The personnel from the BSWM-LSD spearheaded by chemist Shirley Buduan conducted an ocular tour at Barangay Balong to check the proposed building to be utilized as a laboratory where they also presented the guidelines and parameters for the lab’s establishment and operation.
The first step in launching a soil laboratory is securing the necessary permits and authorizations. Some of the requirements are the acquisition of an Environmental Compliance Certificate, Permit to Operate Air Pollution Source and Control Installations, Hazardous Waste Generator Registration ID, License to Purchase Controlled Chemicals, PDEA License, and Certificate of Authority to Operate Chemical Laboratory.
According to Lim Ducyogen, city agriculturist, the city government is already laying the foundations of the proposed laboratory as the mayor is an ardent advocate for the project’s institution due to its immense benefits for the agricultural sector of the city.
“Iko-comply po namin lahat ng requirements with your guidance basta po importante magkaroon ang Tabuk City ng Soil and Water Laboratory,” said Ducyogen.
The establishment of the Soil and Water Laboratory is a possible cornerstone of agricultural development in the city as it will provide accurate information about soil’s composition, fertility, and other factors that will help farmers tailor their planting strategies and choose crops that are best suited to their specific soil conditions. By Rio Bassong
