AN official from the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) is hoping that the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. would create the Banana Research Institute.

"With that state-of-the-art research institute, hopefully, this would address the devastation of the banana industry brought about by the Panama disease," PBGEA Executive Director Stephen Antig said in a press conference.

Panama disease, also called banana wilt, is a devastating disease of bananas caused by the soil-inhabiting fungus species Fusarium oxysporum forma specialis cubense. A form of fusarium wilt, Panama disease is widespread throughout the tropics and can be found wherever susceptible banana cultivars are grown.

Antig said that through this institute, the country would be able to produce a variety of bananas not only resistant to the Panama disease, but to other diseases.

"Once you're able to address that, then you would be able to stop the reduction of the bananas," he said.

During his campaign, Marcos assured residents of Davao del Norte that among its top priorities is the creation of a Banana Research and Development Center to maintain the country’s top position in global trade.

He also vowed to put measures in place to wipe out the banana fungus known as Panama disease or fusarium wilt, which has become a perennial problem for banana growers in the province.

“We will push for a Banana Research Institute. Dapat maglagay ng pondo for research para sa management at pagpapataas ng ani ng mga nagtatanim ng saging,” Marcos said, adding that the institute will not only combat fusarium wilt but shall also study other varieties of banana to increase production.

Marcos, a former senator, filed in 2015 a bill establishing the Philippine National Banana Research Center in Panabo City.

Former Senator Antionion Trillanes IV also passed a bill establishing the National Research, Development and Extension Center for Banana. RGL