Section 8
SEC. 8. There is created a Bureau of Soils which shall be responsible for the assessment, development and conservation of existing and potential soil resources of the Philippines; conducting research on different aspects of soil utilization, management, and conservation; and such other functions as may be provided by law. The Bureau of Soils shall have, in addition to a Planning and Management Staff and an Administrative Division, the following divisions: Laboratory Services Division which shall provide technical supervision in the effective operation and maintenance of the Bureau's soil laboratories, including the maintenance of precision laboratory equipment; prescribe standards in the physical and/or chemical analysis of soils for researches and farmlands as the bases for formulation of fertilizer and lime recommendation and for soil characterization; prepare the program for the production and distribution of soil inoculants; coordinate with the Soil Research Division in the study of new and effective methods of analysis and with Soil Fertility Division in updating soil correlation values and fertilizer requirements of crops; and perform such other functions as may be provided by law. Soil Conservation Division which shall formulate policies, standards and measures for soil and water conservation and utilization; develop a program of field demonstrations on soil and water land-use program for agriculture areas on the control of soil erosion, floods, and siltation; exercise technical supervision over all soil and water conservation stations of the Bureaus; and perform such other functions as may be provided by law. Soil Fertility Division which shall develop plans and procedures for field studies and surveys on soil fertility; prescribe procedures and techniques on the use of fertilizers, soil amendments and fertility maintenance practices compile and analyze results of field fertilizer and fertility maintenance practices; compile and analyze results of field fertilizer and fertility maintenance studies for purpose of preparing and issuing periodic soil fertility status and fertilizer recommendations for major economic crops; and perform such other functions as may be provided by law. Soil Research Division which shall design a program of researches on soil chemistry, soil physics, soil biology and mineral nutrition as they relate to agricultural and non-agricultural application; provide standards and establish criteria for research on soil utilization, conservation and soil, water, and plant relationship; exercise technical supervision in the operation of the Bureau's research stations; maintain liason with other research institutions in both government and private sectors, including foreign institutions; provide technical assistance to other agencies in conducting training programs on soil research and other related subjects; and perform such other functions as may be provided by law. Soil Surveys Division which shall prepare the plans and programs on basic soil surveys at all levels of generalization throughout the Philippines to provide sufficient soil resources data needed by the government and the private sector; interpret basic soil survey data to provide information on land classification, land capability and land-use; provide standards and guidelines in the conduct of soil surveys and other related activities; consolidate, review, and summarize reports on soil surveys for dissemination; prepare and maintain thematic maps, charts, tables, photo mosaics, diagrams and other related materials; and perform such other functions as may be provided by law.