DUE TO THE MASSIVE and sincere campaign on “Join the War Against Brontispa”, the Provincial Coconut Authority (PCA) is now claiming that coconut trees in the province of Zamboanga del Sur is free from Brontispa infestation.

This was gathered over the weekend from the PCA Information Officer Serafin Esparante who said this was attained because of concerted efforts of the different line agencies, strong support from the provincial government, municipal local government units, military and police, coconut industry stakeholders, farmers, and all other concern institutions in preventing the entry of infected palm trees to the province that may carry the coconut leaf bettle.

It may be recalled that the coconut industry in Zamboanga del Sur was threatened by the coconut leaf bettle after the Bureau of Plant Industry issued a Quarantine Order  No. 01 series of 2007 declaring Metro Manila and provinces of Ilocus Norte, Pampanga, Nueva Viscaya, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Aurora, Laguna, Batangas and Cavite along with Iloilo, Aklan, Guimaras, Bohol, Eastern and Northern Samar in the Visayas and Davao, Bukidnon and Zamboanga City (in Mindanao) being infested with Brontispa longisima.

The massive Brontipa attacks on coconut trees in these areas prompted the Senate to urge a nationwide campaign to protect the coconut industry. Hectarage of coconut plantation were damaged and the yearly dollar earnings of the country reduced.

In October last year, despite observable controlled Brontispa attack in the province, PCA provincial officer Dioscoro Duran enjoined the public to avoid movement, transfer and carrying of any palm seedlings, plant and germinated seednuts from the reported infested areas.

But despite observable controlled Brontispa attack in the province, the PCA provincial office is still on the verge of all-time-alert status, “for Brontispa is just within our backyards and doorsteps,” Duran cautioned.

He appealed for the public to immediately notify his office in case of pest presence and occurrence on coconuts in the area.

Last update : 10-06-2008 15:23

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