Villlar hails executive order vs 'cocolisap'

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Cynthia Villar on Monday welcomed the declaration of state of emergency in areas affected by the infestation of “cocolisap” that threatens the country’s $2-billion coconut industry and the livelihood of about 3.5 million coconut farmers.

“No other than an urgent executive action is needed to combat this infestation. We are glad the President signed this order to rescue our coconut growers,” said  Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food.

President Aquino signed Executive Order (EO) 169 on June 5, putting in place emergency measures to control and manage the spread and damage of aspidiotus rigidus, a new strain of scale insect that devastated a significant number of coconut farms in Calabarzon and in some areas in Mindanao.

It puts the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in charge of the nationwide effort to control and contain the infestation.

The executive order mandates the Bureau of Plant Industry to deputize the PCA, the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies to investigate and arrest those caught violating the emergency and quarantine measures, including the confiscation of untreated parts of coconut and other plants.

The order also prohibits the transportation of coconut products and other host plants from areas under quarantine due to scale insect infestation.

During the committee hearing called by Villar last month on Senate Resolution 576, it was learned that the country stands to lose P186 million a year if the infestation is not contained.

The committee recommended the need to continue to control the coconut scale insect infestation; and to coordinate with the National Bio Safety Committee for the possible importation of the predators that can eat the scale insects and coordinate with the fertilizer & pesticide authority for testing and approval of organic & non organic pesticides.

The Senate also called for a review of the Department of Agriculture's budget requirements to prepare for future outbreaks for all crops and prepare "Standard Operating Procedures and Protocols" in case of outbreaks which will damage our crops.

The Senate committee also recommended that the mandate of the National Crop Protection Center should not be limited to research but should include prevention, preparedness and response to outbreaks in any Philippine crop.

Villar also pushed for the implementation of alternative livelihood to mitigate loss of income to farmers due to crop damages; and the need to put up a comprehensive coordination with LGUs and other line agencies for education, eradication and control measures;

The Senate also saw the need for the rehabilitation of coconut plantations through fertilization and replanting; and there is a need to institutionalize through legislation the National Mapping of all major crops.