Mission: Terminate Brontispa ASAP
Government intervention is now in full blast on the dreaded Brontispa pest that threatened the coconut industry in Western Visayas.
This, as thousands of coconut trees were treated and thousands more remain guarded in at least three provinces of the region.
In an interview, Administrator Oscar Garin of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) told The News Today (TNT) that massive campaign and eradication is underway. The PCA in close coordination with various local government units (LGUs) was able to place the pest-scare on a "manageable" level in about 3 weeks time since news got out of the Brontispa invasion here.
"We are on top of the situation," Garin began. "There are no immediate areas of concern at the moment."
Yet quarantine of certain entry and exit points are mulled, Administrator Garin added with the Bureau of Plant Industry tasked to do the job.
Garin in an update appeared yesterday before the 9th Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) with latest figures disclosed on the infestation.
Aklan had the most number of infected coconut trees placed at about 2,000 followed by Iloilo towns in the Second District and Third District, the towns of Sta. Barbara and Cabatuan with 1,500 on record. "Carrier" trees were the royal palm trees used in the landscape of the new Iloilo Airport.
Brontispa causes great damage to mature coconut trees and kills young spears of the coconut until it eventually kill as well the whole tree. It also attacks and breeds on coconut but also on other palm species including ornamental species.
Brontispa can easily multiply with 70 to 100 beetles during its gestation period.
Jose Cruz, PCA regional manager told TNT that LGU support is instrumental in ultimately winning the battle.
"We can assure the Ilonggos that the PCA are doing everything to control and eradicate the problem. We are continuously doing the mapping as of now," Cruz added.
The PCA in its treatment of infested coconut trees adopts the chemical, mechanical and bio-control methods.
Trunk injection is made on tall palms where harvest of all coconuts are made and only fist-sized nuts remain. There is then regular monitoring for signs of recovery where a new undamaged part will emerge in 1 to 2 months if treatment is effective.
In worst cases, the PCA team cuts and burns the infected sword leaves that are thoroughly wrapped in plastic.
"It is the sweetness of the coconut that attracts the Brontispa and the structure of the royal palms," Cruz explained.