By Kenneth Marcos 
In many busy city neighborhoods, where buildings rise and green spaces shrink, a hidden resource continues to support life beneath the ground: the soil that nourishes plants, filters water, and helps keep communities safe. On Thursday, the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) joined the nation in marking World Soil Day 2025, highlighting the global theme “Healthy Soil for Healthy Cities.”
The FPA expressed its full support for the national celebration led by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, together with the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Department of Agriculture. The agency emphasized that soil health is one of the strongest foundations of food security, environmental protection, and resilience, especially in fast-growing urban areas.
Officials noted that cities like Metro Manila continue to expand, pushing more communities into limited spaces where air quality, flooding, and food access can become daily challenges. Healthy soils help address these concerns by supporting urban gardens, improving water absorption during heavy rains, and creating habitats for plants and insects that keep ecosystems balanced.
Urban agriculture has gained importance in recent years as households look for safer and more affordable ways to grow food. Experts say that clean, nutrient-rich soil allows communities to produce vegetables, herbs, and fruits even in small spaces. This can reduce household expenses, provide fresh food during emergencies, and lessen the need for long supply chains that contribute to carbon emissions.
The FPA said it remains committed to ensuring that fertilizers and pesticides used across the country follow strict safety and quality standards. This is crucial to preventing soil contamination, protecting farmers, and keeping food sources safe for consumers. The agency added that promoting responsible product use and sustainable farming practices will help cities develop stronger, healthier soil systems in the years ahead.
As the world celebrates World Soil Day, the FPA called on communities, local governments, and private organizations to work together in protecting and restoring soil. Simple actions—such as proper waste disposal, supporting community gardens, and using fertilizers responsibly—can help keep urban soils productive and safe.
The agency encouraged every Filipino to recognize the value of the soil beneath their feet and to take part in building greener, more food-secure cities for future generations.
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