DUMAGUETE CITY — The governor of Negros Oriental has suspended the gathering and transport of garden soil and plants from two villages in Valencia town after the discovery of plant disease.
Gov. Pryde Henry Teves on Sept. 21 issued Executive Order No. 28 that prohibits the “movement of soil and plants” from Lunga and Apolong due to Fusarium wilt, a disease caused by a soil-borne fungus that infects a plant’s root system.
In his order, Teves noted that the fungus could be transmitted through infected seedlings, soil, and garden equipment.
Banana and abaca production in the two barangays had been affected by the disease, according to the Fiber Industry Development Authority-Negros Oriental.
Teves ordered a strict prohibition to prevent the spread of the disease to the nearby towns of Sta. Catalina, Siaton, and Pamplona.
The governor also banned the entry of potted plants and seedlings from Davao that contain soil as their medium.
Teves mandated the mayors in the province to conduct information and education campaigns through their respective agriculture offices.
Negros Oriental is a major contributor to crop production in the Visayas.