'No palms, no paradise,' PCA warns Boracay stakeholders
'No palms, no paradise. So help us do everything to fight Brontispa. And together we keep this paradise."
Such were the words of Jose Cruz, regional manager of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) following an emergency audience with stakeholders in Boracay.
Considered as island-paradise for its pristine white sand beachfront and exotic coconut and palm trees, Cruz called on the locals' support as PCA launches a massive eradication campaign on the Brontispa pest invasion here.
With at least 2,000 coconut trees confirmed to be infested, Cruz said immediate treatment was done in the island while those in peril are under tight-watch.
"We have our people in the area and we can say that 98% of the infested trees have been taken cared of. But for us to fully eradicate and control the spread, we still urge continued community support," Cruz said in a The News Today (TNT) interview.
Meantime "quarantine" of island-province of Guimaras has been sought with infested coconut trees traced in one inland resort in Nueva Valencia. Cruz said at least 40 palm trees tested positive that were reportedly sourced from Laguna.
"We already talked to Governor Felipe Nava and requested that entry of similar trees be prevented. For now we had the infested trees treated but then again, continued mapping throughout the province is being done," he ended.
The Brontispa invasion was bared by First District Board Member Mac Napulan in a privilege speech entitled "Alien vs Predator."