BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) -Cordillera through its program Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has embarked on “Bantay Peste”, where farmers are asked to carry out their task in preventing pest damage and reduce its impact on their produce.
Marilyn Sta. Catalina, DA regional executive director, explained that the “Bantay Peste”, is pest and disease surveillance, and that there should be regular monitoring on the population dynamics of pest so that farmers will be advised on the proper action to be undertaken.
A group of about 20 farmers under the Bantay Peste Volunteer Brigade Field School shall monitor and observe their respective area and record their observations in a data checklist form which will be evaluated by the agricultural technicians, according to Sta. Catalina.
The data gathered, she said will be processed and assessed in order make necessary measures to address the problem.
That is why our partner, the local government units (LGUs) play an important role in preparing regular and timely reports which indicate the presence or absence of pest. The LGU will prepare regular monthly reports on evolving pest and disease situation, she said.
To systematize reporting, the DA will standardize presentation of pest and surveillance monthly reports. Color coding schemes will be used to indicate status of pest and disease in the field.
Yellow color indicates that the pest or disease monitored should be closely observed, and that there is a warning. Green is for pest or disease which is negligible or does not have major effect in the crop. Red color indicates outbreak of pest or disease.
