INQUIRER FILES
BACOLOD CITY 鈥� A village in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental has recently been infested by coconut scale insect also known as CSI or cocolisap.
Mayor Rex Jalandoon, in an interview on Tuesday, Dec. 3, said the control on the movement of coconuts is being strictly enforced due to cases of cocolisap in Barangay San Miguel.
Quarantine checkpoints, he said, would be implemented in the village by Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) personnel starting next week to stop the spread of the insects.
The number of affected coconut trees in Barangay San Miguel has yet to be reported.
Cocolisap, scientifically known as Aspidiotus Rigidus Reyne, poses a significant threat to the coconut industry, according to the PCA.
It said cocolisap infestations lead to yellowing and premature leaf loss, which could eventually cause stunting, non-bearing, and death of coconut trees.
Cocolisap spreads easily through air, infected coconut leaves, and fruit, and can affect other plants like avocado, mango, breadfruit, guava, and papaya.
The checkpoints were being set up in compliance with Executive Order 23-36 issued by Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson to control and mitigate the spread of cocolisap and its detrimental effects.
The PCA as well as Barangay San Miguel and the La Carlota government called for 鈥渇ull cooperation and support from all stakeholders in this crucial initiative.鈥�
Lacson issued Executive Order 23-36 on Aug. 10 last year designating the PCA as the lead agency in the battle against the cocolisap.
He ordered the implementation of emergency measures to control and manage the spread of cocolisap to protect the livelihoods of 13,958 coconut farmers in Negros Occidental.
PCA Regional Manager Neil Melencion said verified reports showed that cocolisap had hit 5,000 coconut trees in Negros Occidental last year, but the number could be as high as 30,000.
Among the emergency measures adopted then were the declaration of infested areas under quarantine and the establishment of checkpoints and quarantine stations to prevent the transportation of unprocessed/untreated parts of coconuts, coconut seedlings, and other host/vector plants from such areas.
鈥淭he PCA shall have the exclusive authority to grant permits for the transport or movement of coconut planting materials from and to any points of the country,鈥� Lacson said in his executive order.