MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed an order aimed at controlling the infestation in the country’s coconut plantations, especially in the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (Calabarzon) area.
The President on Thursday issued Executive Order 169 on Establishing Emergency Measures to Control and Manage the Spread and Damage of Aspidiotus Rigidus in the Philippines and Designating the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) as the Lead Agency for the Purpose.
Under the EO, the PCA is mandated to identify the infested areas and coordinate efforts in formulating appropriate emergency measures to treat infected coconut trees and host plants.
These will include mechanical, chemical and biological measures, as well as quarantine measures to prevent the transport of infected coconut plants.
The PCA was also authorized to grant permits for transporting coconut planting materials from one location to another. Authorities will confiscate illegally transported materials and fine violators up to P5,000.
According to the EO, local government units will help implement emergency control measures by contributing manpower resources, such as volunteers for frontline barangay-level insect control action teams.
The local government units will also help in the massive information dissemination campaign in their areas.
The PCA was mandated to allocate funds for the nationwide implementation of the emergency measures.
The Aspidiotus Rigidus insect attacks plant leaves and feeds on sap directly drawn from the plant’s vascular system. This pest has affected bearing and non-bearing coconut trees in the Calabarzon region.
Authorities have warned that failure to control the spread of the pest could ruin the country’s coconut industry.
The Philippines is the world’s top supplier of coconut products.
The coconut industry serves as the economic backbone of 68 of the country’s 80 provinces, employing 3.5 million farmers and bringing in $2 billion in net foreign earnings.
