Pests hit 112,117 coco trees

ZAMBOANGA CITY—At least 100,000 coconut trees here had been infested with “cocolisap” as farmers struggle to secure chemicals to fight it, according to the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

Manuelito Enriquez, 68, a coconut farmer, said the rains helped ease the impact of the pests on his trees but at least 12 of his trees are showing signs of severe infestation—their leaves are turning yellow to brown.

“This is a sign that my trees have already been infested,” he said.

Enriquez said he learned that no chemical to fight the infestation is available for the farmers. “I am forced to cut down a dozen trees to prevent the bugs from spreading,” he said.

“Summer is coming and the problem will get more serious,” he added.

Rogelio Flores Jr., PCA development officer here, said the agency has to act before summer to prevent further infestation.

Flores said a total of 112,117 coconut trees in 51 of the city’s 98 villages have been infested.

Other cure
Joselino Mirabuena, PCA agriculturist, said there is a need to declare a state of calamity to help coconut farmers. “Right now we are limited to education and information, urging farmers to prune their trees,” he said.

Flores said systemic application of pesticide is the only way to cure infested trees.

But a sachet of the pesticide, which can be used on five coconut trees, costs P280. For the 112,117 infected trees, at least P6.3 million worth of pesticide is needed.

Flores and Mirabuena admitted that the PCA does not have funds for the pesticide.

But City Agriculturist Diosdado Palacat said there was no need to acquire the chemicals to cure cocolisap infestation.

“We have made a local concoction, from vegetable oil and liquid detergent,” he said.

“All you need is power spraying, long sturdy bamboo tubes and farmers who can climb coconut trees,” Palacat said.

“Using chemicals is harmful as its residue stays in the inner trunk of the trees that may affect the fruits,” he added.

Other numbers

Citing PCA data, Palacat said the city has an estimated 30,000 hectares of coconut trees,  with each hectare planted with 100 trees.

“That would mean, we have 300,000 coconut trees. Given the data of the PCA of over 100,000 trees, that is almost 50 percent. Yet, the report we got from farmers is about 50,000 trees are affected,” he said.

The conflicting reports of the PCA and the Office of the City Agriculturist prompted Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar to order a review before she issues an executive order declaring a state of calamity.

She said while the city council had already declared a state of calamity, “there has been a debate over the number” of infested trees.

She said the city agriculturist has to validate the numbers because “it does not jibe with the PCA’s.” —JULIE S. ALIPALA