PIA Press Release
2008/03/25
Brontispa pest remains a threat to Basilan coconuts
By Rene V. Carbayas
Isabela City, Basilan (25 March) -- "It's just a matter of time when Brontispa coconut pest would strike Basilan, unless preventive measures are tightened," the Philippine Coconut Authority said in a forum in Isabela City last March 13. During the joint meeting of the Basilan Communicators Network (BasComNet) General Assembly and the Isabela City Liga ng mga Barangay, Efren Carba of PCA-Isabela City was grateful for the BasComNet's initiative to widespread the information campaign on the threat of brontispa.
Recognizing its limitations, Carba said that PCA is counting on the help of a lot of people, especially barangay officials to bar the entry of the pest on our shores. However, Carba was not certain whether the pest is already here. "We cannot be certain unless affected areas will show signs and symptoms of the infestation," Carba explained, hoping that the coconut farmers, in particular, will immediately report to PCA any signs of the pest. But as of the moment, based on monitoring results by PCA, Basilan is still brontispa-free.
Carba said PCA is focusing on brontispa control measures, i.e. aside from ongoing research and studies on how to fight if not eradicate the pest, the agency is also eyeing some measures to affect strengthened quarantine measures that would keep brontispa away from Basilan shores.
One participant in the forum lamented the state of the PCA in Isabela. Saddened by the lack of personnel and funds to fight brontispa, the joint assembly came up with a resolution urging the local government of Isabela City and the Province of Basilan to appropriate funds to support and help the PCA in the fight against the pest. The public, however, relies much on the expertise of the PCA to spearhead in drawing up measures to prevent brontispa infestation in Basilan. While all the government line agencies and non-government organization present are in full support on the cause, the participants believed that PCA should flex more muscles to realize preventive measures.
BasComNet President Myra M. Alih urged PCA to lobby for the enactment of relevant ordinances and policies to the City Council and Provincial Board that will serve as the legal basis for enforcing authorities, especially quarantine measures in Basilan ports and control the entry of infected ornamental and palm plants.
While 50-60% of the agricultural lands in Basilan is devoted to coconuts, the priority product of the Province of Basilan, i.e. the One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) as declared by then Congressman Wahab Akbar, is rubber. This means that much of the programs and promotions of the province is geared towards rubber industry.
Nonito Manuel of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Basilan-ARMM suggested that PCA and concerned agencies should promote inter-cropping of rubber and coconuts instead as many coconut farmers begin to shy away from planting coconut and give priority to rubber.
In response, the body resolved to seek the province through the Governor to make coconut industry as the second industry for the province to consider and to be widely promoted still. The resolution was strongly supported by the International Copra Export Company (InterCo) as represented by Ms. Maria Lina Patiño, who committed to help PCA in this effort. Patiño said, the company takes pride of their copra products from Basilan as it is one of the best, aside from the area is still brontispa-free.
Moreover, PCA also announced that effective March 10, 2008 a moratorium on coconut cutting as contained in R.A. 8048 or otherwise known as the Coconut Preservation Act of 1995 is enforced. However, some barangay chairmen fear that this law would be useless because of poor enforcement. The idea of deputizing barangay chairmen in going after illegal cutting of coconuts has been considered and hopefully PCA will immediately act on this possibility.
While there are growing apprehensions as to the future of the coconut industry in Basilan, Carba stressed that it will be a competitive coconut industry with the increasing demand for coconut by-products, such as bio-fuels and virgin coconut oil, the economic viability is enormous. The coconut remains to be the number one export crop of the Philippines. Some 26 million Filipinos are directly dependent on coconut industry. Eleven provinces in the Philippines are already affected by brontispa, including Zamboanga City, which is close to Basilan Island.
