Dreaded brontispa reached Tacloban City

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
December 15, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  It appears that the dreaded brontispa coconut infestation has already reached Tacloban City and so instead of the usual aim of preventing it from reaching Tacloban, the objective now is how to contain it in the area so that it will not spread in the nearby areas and municipalities.

Ms. Virgilia R. Deloria, the OIC of the Plant Quarantine Service division of the Deparment of Agriculture, called up the Philippine Information Agency about the confirmation of brontispa infestation in Barangay Apitong, mid afternoon Friday. The nocturnal brontispa or coconut beetle has already infested ornamental palms and coconut trees in some areas of Barangay Apitong, Deloria informed.

Ms. Deloria invited PIA to be present during the meeting with the Barangay officials at Barangay Apitong, today, December 15. She said that the Department of Agriculture will really recommend that the infested ornamental palms be cut and burned to prevent further infestation. The others which could still be saved will be treated immediately but in the meantime, she requested PIA to help convince the barangay constituents to support and cooperation in whatever recommendations the BPI Quarantine Service and the Philippine Coconut Authority will give, in order to prevent further harm to the coconut industry in the Region.

The Philippine Information Agency immediately went to take a look and took pictures at the mentioned infested area and it appears that several ornamental palms and coconut trees are indeed infested.

The Philippine Information Agency has informed the City Government thru Administrator Jimjim Yaokasin, and the provincial government of Leyte, about the infestation so that the necessary actions and coordination regarding the matter will be done.

When contacted, Philippine Coconut Authority Regional Manager Ed Nierva was in Catarman, Northern Samar. However, he said that the PCA Provincial Manager Juliet Uy has just informed him about the findings.

Manager Nierva said that he is coming back to Tacloban Saturday morning and he will bring along with him tools and chemicals to be used for treatment.

Manager Nierva called on all sectors of the government and on the public to help because the Philippine Coconut Authority could not solve the problem alone.

The public is enjoined to report immediately to the nearest PCA or DA office, or to their barangay officials, if they see any palm trees and coconut trees suspected of being infested by brontispa.

The problem is here already. Complacency or pointing fingers at any one or any agency will not solve the problem. Instead, the public, the local governments and the national line agencies concerned must coordinate well with one another so that the infestation will be contained.

How do we detect if our ornamental palms or coconut trees are already infested by brontispa? A coconut tree infested with brontispa has young leaves which appear burned or scorched resulting from the feeding damage of the coconut leaf beetle.