Among the services of RSL of DA-10 is soil testing which determines the pH and available phosphorus, organic and potassium in soils, allowing the recommendation of the right and proper amount of fertilizer, and timing of application. (Photo credit: EMB)

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, August 31 – Capping nearly midway of this year, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) has finally been granted by the Professional Regulatory Board of Chemistry a Certificate of Authority to Operate (CATO) to its two laboratories.

Cited conferment is in pursuant to the powers vested in the Board under sections 7g and 36 of Republic Act No. 10657, otherwise known as the Chemistry Profession Act, a law regulating and modernizing the practice of chemistry in the Philippines.

Being awarded with a CATO, the Feed Chemical Analytical Laboratory (FCAL) and Regional Soils Laboratory (RSL) of DA-10, has been found to meet the requirements of said Act and the rules and regulations of the Board.

Accordingly, DA-Northern Mindanao marks as the first DA regional field office across the country to do so for both of its laboratories.

“DA ensures the continued development and high standards of chemistry practice in our laboratories for an improved delivery of service to our clientele, which is vital to public safety and environmental protection,” Carlene C. Collado, DA-10 regional executive director remarked.

Since its application, the agency has complied with the Board’s findings based from their on-site inspections and documentary requirement submissions, such as, but not limited to the additional acquisition of equipment, entitlement of hazard pay to laboratory personnel, and registration of hired Contract of Service for the practice of chemistry and chemistry analyses.

Under the umbrella of the Integrated Laboratories Division, both laboratories render services to various clienteles in terms of soil and feed analyses, animal and plant health and nutrition.

In particular, FCAL engages in feed and feed ingredient analysis (complete proximate analysis, crude protein, crude fat, moisture and ash); mineral analysis (calcium, phosphorus and salt); activity test (urease); feed microscopy examination; and aflatoxin test.

On the other hand, RSL offers soil and fertilizer analyses, refill of soil test kits for mobile soil analysis, and Trichoderma production. #(JLO)