In the Philippines, studies and monitoring programs on the extent of toxic heavy metal contamination remains to be limited, despite the persisting issues on food safety and security. Although the EMB-DENR has an existing heavy metal monitoring activity, their mandate is limited for now on selected aquatic ecosystems (National Water Quality Status Report 2006-2013). The DA, for its part, requires the analysis of heavy metals and other water pollutants in wastewater prior to the issuance of certification for latter’s re-use for the purposes of irrigation and other agricultural uses. Based on extensive literature review and personal communications with EMB-DENR and DA, a national program specific for the regular monitoring of heavy metals in agricultural lands is non-existent to date. Thus, in support to the mandated functions of EMB-DENR and DA, this proposed project takes on the initiative to generate basic/baseline information vital in remediation technologies towards a revolutionized Philippine health care system and improved farming systems for vegetables. Indeed, remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils is required inorder to reduce the associated risks, make the land resource available for agricultural production, enhance food security and scale down land tenure problems arising from changes in the land use pattern. The proposed project generally aims to determine the extent of contamination of Cd, Hg, and Pb – heavy metals with potential adverse effects on human health and farming productivity – in agricultural soils and vegetables in selected organic and conventional farms within the Provinces of Laguna (e.g., Los Baños, Bay, Calauan, Victoria, Pila, Kalayaan, and Majayjay) and Quezon (e.g., Tayabas and Sariaya). Farm-selection will be purposive, targeting those that are located near the possible sources of heavy metals (e.g., vegetable farms in the towns Calauan and Bay, Laguna where MakBan Geothermal Plant is located as well as farms close to the coal-fired power plants in Quezon), farms involved in the long-term use of utilize synthetic fertilizers and pesticides as well as those that use wastewater irrigation. Detection and quantitation of heavy metal concentration will utilize quantitative elemental spectrometry with the assistance of a registered chemist along with active consultation with experts from the UP Los Baños. Human health risks indices will be estimated as well, to understand the corresponding risk implications as to the extent of contamination with the targeted heavy metal on public health.

Results of this proposed project are expected to serve as baseline information that are deemed relevant to policy recommendations, enhanced and sustainable farming practices, improved campaign on food safety and security, and mitigation of public health risks. The proposed project is aligned with the current priority programs of the 2017-2022 National Integrated Basic Research Agenda (NIBRA) of the NRCP as well as PCAARRD’s Vegetable Industry Strategic Program, as it will contribute to food safety and security. In addition, the proposed project is an opportunity for collaborative R&D activities between the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU), through which proactive mentoring of developing institutions like LSPU by established research universities like UPLB is highly encouraged. The LSPU’s faculty researchers and students alike are considered direct R&D mentoring beneficiaries, capacitating these people to conduct responsive R&D activities in the region. Moreover, the implementation of this proposed project justifies the establishment/functionalization of LSPU’s Science Research Facility that was recently funded by PCAARRD-DOST, in line with government’s initiatives and efforts on regional scientific development. In addition, to promote the project as GAD-relevant, selection of partner-farms will ensure that a balance between male and female participants will included in the project. Faculty researchers and student mentees will also consider equal number of male and female as recipients of research mentoring.