PCA warns spread of cocolisap bugs that hit four LGUs

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) warned the public regarding the possible spread of cocolisap bugs that have already affected four localities in Negros Occidental.

An estimated 5,000 coconut trees were already damaged in the cities of La Carlota and Bago, as well as the towns of La Castellana and Murcia.

Neil Melencion, PCA regional manager, said Tuesday, August 15, that they will be creating the Coconut Scale Insect Mitigation Task Force-Negros Occidental to handle the containment of the rising bug infestation on coconut trees.

Melencion said the PCA is now working with Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson for the issuance of quarantine restrictions in the affected areas to prevent its spread

He also confirmed that Lacson has allocated P200,000 to augment funds for PCA for the pruning of affected leaves on coconut trees, which they started last week.

Asked about the estimated losses in the coconut industry due to bug infestation in Negros Occidental, Melencion initially placed it at P3.8 million if 10,000 coconut trees will be affected.

An executive order has been issued by Lacson, which establishes emergency measures to control and manage the spread and damage of “aspidiotus regidus,” locally known as cocolisap in Negros Occidental, and designates PCA as the lead agency.

The EO states that Negros Occidental has 5,038,723 coconut trees, of which 2,500,000 are bearing, with a potential income of P18.7 million (copra-based). It also provides livelihood to an estimated 13,958 coconut farmers.

The insect pest, according to the EO, is attaching itself to plant leaves and feeding on sap directly drawn from the plant’s vascular system, has tremendously devastated bearing and non-bearing coconut trees, as well as a significant number of coconut farms in Negros Occidental.

Aside from coconut trees, the pest has also been attacking other high-value crops that are cultivated under coconuts, Lacson said in his EO.

Melencion also disclosed that it will take one to two years to recover from the infestation. The infestation may also affect the supply of buko and copra.*