Gov't to roll out emergency measures to fight coconut pest

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government has said it will put in place emergency measures to combat the infestation of scale insect which threatens to cripple the local coconut industry.

Executive Order No. 169 released today authorizes the establishment of emergency measures to control the spread of scale insects (Aspidiotus rigidus) in coconut plantations. The order was signed by President Benigno Aquino III on June 5.

"The massive infestation of scale insect poses a very serious threat to the coconut industry and to the livelihood of those who depend (on it)," said Aquino.

State-run Philippine Coconut Authority will take the lead in crafting and implementing the emergency measures. Aquino said these emergency measures can include preventing the transport of unprocessed and untreated coconuts from infested areas that have been placed under quarantine.

In the last three years, the Philippine government has been trying to eradicate scale insects - a pest attacking plant leaves - in the northern Philippine provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon.

The government said the pest appeared to have spread in Mindanao and has been attacking other high-value crops like coffee and cacao that are cultivated under coconuts or near coconut plantations.

The Philippines is the top supplier of coconut products in the world. The local coconut industry contributes an estimated $2 billion in foreign exchange earnings and provides livelihood to 3.5 million farmers in 68 provinces.