by Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, Basilan – The Philippine Coconut Authority-Region IX sought for the help of stakeholders toward a strong and urgent collaborative approach in fighting the scale insect infestation in Isabela City and Basilan.
Ralph S. Hamoy, PCA-IX OIC/Regional Manager said that Basilan is a big contributor to the economy of Zamboanga Peninsula because of its coconut industry. But, the industry is now being threatened by the invasive scale insect that has infected over seventy thousand coconut trees in Isabela City and counting.
“There is a plan for you [government agencies] to be greatly involved in the fight versus cocolisap because we have a hard time in dealing with the insect alone. We have done preventive and control measures, but [they] are not enough,” Hamoy said.
He added that the spread of this insect pest is so massive that PCA could not handle alone and requires the help and support of government agencies, the local government units, and the farmers and landowners.
He underscored the important role of the media in providing valuable information to the coconut farmers and the community affected by the infestation.
“I would like to request or even appeal to your hearts to have some commitments, do something and input your ideas [in this meeting] and efforts on how to address this situation,” he said.
He revealed that numerous activities and actions were done by PCA, biologically and chemically to salvage what has been left of the coconut tree.
“But it just not enough,” he said.
He disclosed some problems encountered during those efforts of treating the infected coconuts, namely, the cooperation of some landowners, the passiveness of some of our “counterparts”, and the availability of water source as main ingredient in treating infected coconuts.
He also revealed that the fifty-two emergency laborers hired by PCA for the purpose has stopped their operation effective May 1 as they are yet to receive their 16 days salary.
Different government agencies, farmers’ organizations, and the local government unit gathered at the Querexeta Formation Center last June 11 for an emergency meeting on some updates and development of the coconut scale insect infestation in Isabela City.
Efren P. Carba, PCDM Division chief reiterated that the degree of infestation in Isabela city already needs chemical treatment more than the biological control measures being done. Thus, this requires appropriate funding as the materials needed are expensive.
Meanwhile, Celedonia Palomar, RTS of PCA-9 sought the commitment from the agencies present to help PCA to save the coconut industry. She said that PCA has already spent some P1.6-million for a short period of time treating cocolands.
“Handa ang PCA tumulong sa abot ng aming makakaya (PCA is ready to help in as much as we can),” she said, with high hopes that government will provide the necessary funding and support required to fight the pests.
The meeting ended with the activation of the Scale Insect Action Team to help address the problem.