ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The city agriculture office has intensified its efforts to prevent the spread of the coconut scale insects or cocolisap, which has so far affected at least 12 villages.
City agriculturist Diosdado Palacad said they are working with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to address the problem.
Palacad said the Department of Agriculture and PCA activated the city crop protection quick response team, which has been monitoring the spread of the pest.
He said at least 650 coconut trees from 12 barangays have been damaged.
Palacad said the level of infestation is not yet alarming and pest management control measures have been conducted to lessen the damage.
Officials expressed belief the pest came from Basilan, where almost three million coconut trees were destroyed by the infestation.