THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental is warning farmers against Fall Armyworm (Faw) that attacks rice, corn, soybeans, sugarcane and some other plants and vegetables.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson confirmed on Monday, September 30, that this new kind of pest was already reported in the areas of La Carlota and La Castellana.
The extent of the damage is still being determined by the Provincial Agriculture Office, said Provincial Agriculturist lawyer Japhet Masculino.
Lacson also issued on Monday, September 30, Executive Order No. 19-42, Series of 2019 or the Creation of the Provincial Coordinating Task Force on Faw.
The order stated that in light of the possible entry of exotic pest Faw (Spodoptera frugiperda) within the province, there is a critical need to create a Provincial Coordinating Task Force to ensure preparedness and to strengthen pest surveillance and management activities of the province in close coordination with local government units (LGUs) and concerned agencies.
Furthermore, the task force should corroborate with the Regional Faw Task Force to: 1.) Ensure the province’s readiness in preparing short and long-action plans; 2.) Take responsibility in the regular submission of provincial updates and necessary data to the governor and the Regional Task Force; 3.) Spearhead overall activities on continued surveillance and detection of possible Faw presence within the province; 4.) Enforce quarantine measures and regulation; 5.) Validate reported field suspicion; and 6.) Develop appropriate pest management technologies.
Lacson is the task force head with Board Member Andrew Montelibano who chairs the City Council Committee on agriculture.
The governor said that Faw also multiplies in thousands, which is why appropriate preparations should be taken.