The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has set aside P27.2 million to implement various interventions to contain the infestation of coconut scale insect (CSI), also known as cocolisap, in Zamboanga Peninsula.
PCA administrator Romulo de la Rosa said among the treatment interventions that the agency will roll out include leaf pruning, oil-based spraying and mass rearing and field release of biological control (biocon) agents.
“We are now focusing our resources on the conduct of research and testing of alternative methods using organic solution,” de la Rosa said in a statement.
Of the total 54.63 million coconut trees in the Zamboanga Peninsula, the PCA said 834,474, or 1.53 percent, are infested with cocolisap.
“Based on our documentation, it is initially reported that 114,541 of the total infested coco trees were already pruned and 4,766 coco trees were sprayed using oil-based formulations. A total of 148,911 biocon agents were also released in the region covering about 1,500 hectares,” de la Rosa said.
“We have also included in the allocated budget the upgrading of our biocon laboratory in Zamboanga City. We are expanding it by establishing another laboratory in our Zamboanga Research Center as the mass production of biocon agents is now in full swing,” he added.
The PCA, an agency attached to the Office of the President, will establish baranggay-based biocon laboratories through the conduct of Farmer Field School, wherein coconut farmers will be trained in the production of predators, such as beetles.
Quarantine checkpoints have also been set up in strategically located areas in Zamboanga Peninsula to prevent the spread of CSI infestation, according to de la Rosa.
A task force, led by the PCA Research and Development Branch, was formed to manage and implement the integrated pest management (IPM) activities of the action program.
“With the help and cooperation of our local governments, farmers, land owners and constant support from our government, we believe we will succeed in implementing these control measures,” de la Rosa said.