Anti-cocolisap drive set in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines   – A massive integrated pest management (IPM) drive will be launched in Basilan starting this month to eradicate the “cocolisap” that infested thousands of coconut trees, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) said over the weekend.

PCA administrator Romulo Arancon Jr., who visited the “cocolisap”-infested plantations in Isabela City, said the IPM will run for the next two months.

Arancon said the drive will be a multi-agency approach involving the Departments of Agriculture (DA) and the Science and Technology (DOST), the Philippine National Police, the military and the local government units.

The PCA released an initial funding of P3 million for the project and an additional P14 to P15 million will be allotted to ensure the success of the campaign.

Arancon said the infestation affected 141,000 coconut trees in Isabela City alone and 250,000 more in at least four municipalities in Basilan.

He said part of the IPM protocol is to control and contain the spread of the “cocolisap.”

“We don’t want the pest to spread in the mainland and Zamboanga City is at risk and the nearby provinces of Zamboanga peninsula and the rest of Mindanao,” Arancon said.

Checkpoints have been set up along roads leading to the port of Isabela City and the DA and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) are implementing strict quarantine measures.

The PCA official said the transport of coconuts and its seedlings will be prohibited as part of the control.

Arancon advised farmers and residents not to use bags made of coconut leaves and fronds in transporting fruits such as lanzones and mangosteen, particularly from Basilan.