DAVAO -- Authorities estimated the number of rice black bugs that attacked the Palarong Pambansa venue in Tagum City to reach billions. The good news, though, is that the bugs were leaving the area Thursday.
Davao del Norte provincial agriculturist Anastacia Notarte said that black bugs usually start migrating from one place to another three days before the full moon and they leave three days after. Since the full moon was on May 4, Notarte said they expect the bugs to fly out by May 7.
She said the black bugs usually hibernate under the rice fields. Due to the dry season the past months, the bugs have nothing to eat in the rice fields, thus they find other areas to feed.
It so happened, Notarte said, that the holding of the Palaro coincided with the black bugs' migration season and with the floodlights used during the night games, the bugs were naturally attracted to the lights.
But Notarte assured the public that the bugs are harmless except for the putrid odor they emit.
She said what they can do for now is conduct a daily clean-up in the Palaro venue.
More than 50 sacks of black bugs were collected by more than 100 personnel of the Provincial Agriculture Office since the bugs started arriving at the venue last week.
Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, meanwhile, considered the black bug infestation as an unfortunate coincidence.
He said though that they have not received any complaints from the athletes in relation to the black bugs, as the billeting areas are all protected with screens.
He advised the public to just enjoy the presence of the black bugs as they are also spectators of the biggest sporting events among elementary and high school students. (Ben O. Tesiorna/Sun.Star Davao)