By Kenneth Marcos 
Inside a packed function hall in Quezon City, agriculture workers, scientists, and government officials gathered with one shared concern: the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, or AMR. For many of them, the issue is no longer just a scientific problem—it is a danger that affects the food Filipinos eat, the animals farmers raise, and the health of communities across the country.
The Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Soils and Water Management joined this year’s World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, carrying the global theme “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future.” The campaign highlights the need for strong and coordinated action to slow the spread of AMR, which occurs when bacteria, viruses, or fungi no longer respond to medicines meant to control them.
Health experts warn that AMR is a growing global crisis. It threatens food production, weakens disease control in livestock, and increases health risks for people. In agriculture, the misuse or overuse of antimicrobials can allow resistant organisms to spread through soil, water, and crops, affecting entire communities. This is why many countries now promote the One Health approach, which links human health, animal health, and environmental protection into one unified response.
Representing BSWM Director Gina Parde-Nilo, technical staff from the Laboratory Services Division and Soil and Water Resources Research Division joined the WAAW 2025 activities held on November 24 at Novotel, Araneta City. Among them were Shaira Granada, Valerie Joy Valdez, Ariel Lumilay Jr., Mark Edward Sia, and Joyce Minimo.
During the event, Ms. Granada outlined the bureau’s planned programs to monitor and manage AMR in soils. She explained how these efforts align with the National Soil Health Program, which aims to restore soil quality in agricultural areas nationwide. Part of the plan also involves the establishment of soil quarantine systems and stricter implementation of PD 1435, which regulates the movement and protection of soil resources. These measures are intended to reduce contamination, improve surveillance, and support a safer food system.
Earlier on November 17, Mr. Lumilay shared a detailed discussion on AMR during the bureau’s weekly convocation. His talk aimed to raise awareness among BSWM staff on the role of soil, water, and farm practices in controlling or accelerating the spread of resistant organisms.
The DA-BSWM emphasized that addressing AMR requires the participation of all sectors—from farmers and livestock raisers to laboratories, local governments, and consumers. With the Philippines relying heavily on agriculture for food and livelihoods, the bureau stressed that protecting soil and water is essential to national food security.
As the awareness week ends, officials hope the momentum will continue. They urged the public and stakeholders to stay informed, follow safe farming practices, and support programs that promote responsible antimicrobial use. The fight against AMR, they said, is not only for today’s generation but for the security of the country’s food systems and the health of future Filipinos.
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