MANILA, PIA – Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization Secretary Francis Pangilinan on Wednesday reported that the coconut scale insect infestation, locally known as cocolisap, has been brought down to manageable levels.
“Results of the scientific rapid ground assessment conducted in November and December of 2014 showed that the coconut scale insect infestation, after six months and the treatments used, is now down to manageable levels,” Secretary Pangilinan said during a press briefing in Malacañang.
“We are no longer in outbreak levels. This means that the trees that had severe infestation prior to treatment now have moderate infestation. Those that had moderate infestation now have low infestation, and those with low infestation now have almost zero infestation,” he said.
According to Pangilinan, some 2.7 million coconut trees were infested in various degrees in August last year.
“In the beginning, in June of 2014, there were 58 hotspots in Calabarzon and Basilan and today, we are down to nine hotspots (municipalities),” he said. Calabarzon consists of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.
Pangilinan noted that a total of 1.6 million trees were treated within a 60-day timeline, through pruning and trunk injection.
In the Calabarzon area, a total of 1.1 trees have been put under control, reducing the infestation by as much as 90 percent, he said, adding that the total amount allocated and spent for the process over the past six months was P177 million out of a budget of P750 million, or P150 per tree.
Pangilinan however warned that though it is not endemic to the Philippines, the cocolisap could recur during the summer months.
“We have to remain vigilant. According to our scientists, this pest will be with us and we cannot have an elimination or eradication of this pest, but we can manage it effectively,” he said, asking the public to report any recurrence of the infestation.
“The difference between this infestation in 2010 and today is that, if it does happen, marunong na po tayong kumilos. Alam na po natin ang protocols, alam na po natin paano po mababawasan nang husto, at hindi na po tayo mauunahan ng pagkalat nito,” he added. (PCOO/PND (ag)