Cocolisap infestation under control

The infestation of cocolisap in Negros Occidental is currently under control.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said around 6,000 coconut trees were affected in the cities of Bago, La Carlota, and the towns of Murcia and La Castellana.

During a meeting held Thursday morning, August 24, with agriculture officials, Lacson said that the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist reported that the situation right now is under control compared to a few weeks ago.

It can be recalled that the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) maintains a biological control laboratory in Barangay Mailum, Bago City.

The PCA is currently breeding natural predators of the cocolisap in order to control the infestation.

Aside from introducing the natural predators against cocolisap, another solution being eyed by the authorities is to prune cocolisap-infected leaves from coconut trees.

Cocolisap, also known as "aspidiotus regidus," attaches itself to coconut leaves, feeding on its sap directly drawn from the plant’s vascular system, devastating bearing, and non-bearing coconut trees.

The governor had already issued an executive order establishing measures to manage the damage and control the spread of cocolisap.

Lacson placed the PCA as the lead agency in the province-wide effort to control and contain the cocolisap infestation, in partnership with the provincial government, local government units, and agencies.

Checkpoints and quarantine stations were also formed to prevent the transportation of coconut leaves, fronds, coconut saplings, and other raw or unprocessed coconut products to stop the spread of the infestation.

The PCA was also given exclusive authority to grant permits for transportation.*