LIVE: PBBM keynotes the 1st National Soil Health Summit (NSHS) at the Diamond Hotel in Manila
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Senator Cynthia Villar, and the other elected officials that are present here with us today,
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the Special Assistant to the President, Secretary Anton Lagdameo,
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Senior Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture,
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partner agencies in this first National Soil Health Summit.
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I am a little surprised that it is the first because it is something that is so critical.
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And that is something that we have been getting a great many requests from
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the locals, the LGUs themselves, cooperatives,
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in that we have to go and do the soil analysis in their place.
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So, at least, whether or not it has been much delayed,
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I'm very happy that we are now here to participate in this first National Soil Health Summit.
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To all the experts and members of the academe who have taken time to participate in this event,
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thank you very much for your participation and good morning to all of us.
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Let me greet the Bureau of Soils and Water Management a happy 72nd anniversary
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and a joyful 12th anniversary to the DOST Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources, R&D.
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So, congratulations to the different agencies who are celebrating their anniversary.
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This is, I cannot think of a more appropriate way to do that
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than for us to be attending this first National Soil Health Summit.
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We are all aware that our nation is blessed with rich and fertile lands
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that fed and empowered our people throughout our history.
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While that has been the case, we will still find ourselves burdened by grave and urgent issues
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in providing quality and sufficient food for our people,
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some of which are caused by factors beyond our control.
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Others are within, in fact, our control.
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We recognize strengthening our agricultural industry requires a cohesive overall approach,
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especially if we want to address the systemic and perennial ills in the sector.
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With this, we have begun the consolidation of farmers' cooperatives and associations and their lands,
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as well as the introduction of new technologies and machineries to our farmers
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and giving them access to more efficient practices.
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We have also welcomed major investments in the agricultural industry from local and foreign investors
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as part of our plan to provide farmers with the capital and tools they need to boost productivity.
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While all these initiatives have a great deal of potential,
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we still need to address the growing problem of the degradation, acidification, and pollution in our soils.
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As the DNR has reported, 75% of our total cropland is vulnerable to erosion in various degrees,
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with agriculture losing about 457 million tons of soil annually.
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The conversion of lands for settlements and the loss of about 47 hectares of forest cover every year
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contribute significantly to soil degradation.
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Aside from these, around 11 to 13 million hectares are considered degraded.
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This is on top of the 2.2 million hectares that suffer from insufficient levels of soil fertility.
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Making matters worse is the improper use of fertilizers and pesticides that pollute and acidify our soil.
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Needless to say, our soil is under threat,
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and to continue to neglect this vital agricultural component will lead to even worse crises in the future.
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Therefore, I cannot emphasize enough how significant and influential this first National Soil Health Summit is.
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With a discourse amongst our leaders and the agricultural sector's brightest minds,
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I anticipate that this summit will spark more informed decisions and much-needed innovation in the coming years.
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With a focus on sharing information and enhancing programs related to soil health,
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I believe that we can promote the sustainable use of our soil for the benefit of future generations.
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On the part of government, we have come up with a five-point priority agenda on soil and water management,
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such as a national soil health program and implementation of sustainable land management.
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This will ensure the proper use and management of soil resources, address land degradation,
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enhance crop productivity, and hence improve farmers' income.
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The administration shall empower the Bureau of Soil and Water Management to achieve these goals,
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especially through capacitating soil laboratories across the country to yield better data.
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We are conducting a soil and land resources mapping and evaluation process
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that includes soil-based and land-based level assessments, soil sample analyses,
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and digital map preparations under the Philippine Soil Land Resources Information Program.
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The administration is also exploring water security for climate-resilient rainwater technologies
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and the conduct of cloud seeding operations for agriculture.
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All this to improve water conditions in production areas, in critical watersheds, and in our reservoirs.
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These are all part of the collective efforts to mitigate the effects of the El NiƱo phenomenon.
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However, we in government cannot solve the issues affecting our soil and the agriculture sector as a whole on our own.
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As such, this summit is an opportune time for all of us here to collaborate,
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to share our wisdom and experience to improve our soil and boost our agricultural productivity,
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all the while promoting sustainability and environmental protection.
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This will play a pivotal role in nation-building and uplifting the lives of our people.
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Congratulations on the conduct of this first National Soil Health Summit,
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and we look forward to the very useful production and output that will come out of this summit.
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Thank you very much, and have a truly fruitful gathering.
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Thank you, Mr. President.
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At this point, may we request the President to kindly grant us a photo opportunity.
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May we invite on stage the DILJ officials, governors, and House of Representatives.
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DOSDP card and ACR, please stand by.
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Tron, please exit to your right.
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Next, DOSDP card and ACR, you may now proceed on stage.
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Local Speakers, SUC Presidents, ACR, PSST, PAA, please stand by.
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Thank you very much. Please exit to your right.
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Local Speakers, SUC Presidents, ACR, PSST, PAA, please, you may now proceed to the stage.
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Next, DARFO and other NGA directors, please stand by.
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Thank you. Please exit to your right.
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Next, DARFO and other NGA directors, please proceed to the stage.
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May we request the DAPN officials to kindly grant us a photo opportunity.
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DAPSW Mancom, please stand by.
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DAPSW Mancom, stand by.
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Thank you. Please exit to your right.
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Next, DAPSW Mancom, you may now proceed to the stage.
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Thank you. You may now exit to your right.
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Next, the National Soil Health Summit Working Committee.
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Please proceed on stage.
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The National Soil Health Committee, please proceed on stage.
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Thank you. Please exit to your right.
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Thank you very much, Mr. President, for granting us a photo opportunity.
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That concludes the National Soil Health Summit Working Committee.
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Thank you, Mr. President, for gracing this event today.
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Once again, ladies and gentlemen, His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
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We would like to request everyone to please remain seated until the President has left the venue.
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And join our community on Viber and Telegram.
