Emergency state declared in Calabarzon over coconut infestation

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino issued yesterday an executive order (EO) declaring a state of emergency in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) in an attempt to contain widespread infestation of coconut trees in the region.

EO 169 gives food security czar Francis Pangilinan the power to carry out emergency measures to control and manage the spread and damage of aspidiotus rigidus, with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) designated as the lead agency.

“If the spread of this invasive pest is not contained, it may wipe out the coconut industry not just in Calabarzon but eventually in the rest of the country,” read a portion of the three-page EO.

According to Pangilinan, who Aquino appointed as presidential assistant on food security and agricultural modernization, there has been widespread infestation by the coconut scale insect (CSI) and coconut leaf beetle.

The CSI (aspidiotus destructor) and coconut leaf beetle (brontispa logissima) reportedly now threaten the Bicol region that has 650,000 hectares planted to coconuts. Aspidiotus rigidus is an invasive species of the coconut scale inset that attacks the plant leaves and vascular system.

Under the EO, only the PCA shall have the “exclusive authority to grant permits to transport for the shipment or movement of coconut planting materials from and to any points of the country.”

Transport of coconut leaves and fronds, young coconut and other raw or unprocessed or untreated coconut products, coco seedlings, and seedlings of other scale insect host plants shall be prohibited, according to the order.

These materials should not be transported outside of barangays, towns and provinces duly declared under quarantine, “except when supported by a permit to transport duly issued by the PCA.”

The PCA is tasked to cooperate with Pangilinan, along with other agencies like the Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Department of the Interior and Local Government, UP Los Baños and National Crop Protection Center.

Along with concerned local government units, these agencies shall “formulate and prescribe the necessary and appropriate emergency measures and methodologies in the treatment of infested coconut trees and other host plants.”

Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, earlier filed a resolution to prod the government to immediately provide solutions to combat the coconut scale insect infestation and prevent the total collapse of the coconut industry in Southern Luzon and some areas in the Visayas and Mindanao. – With Paolo Romero