Brontispa threatens collapse of coco industry in Eastern Visayas

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
October 18, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Coconut Leaf Beetle or brontispa longissima (gestro) is threatening  to wipe out the coconut industry of Eastern Visayas with the infested coconut trees already reaching a alarming number of 40,468.

Philippine Coconut Authority Regional Manager Edilberto Nierva’s revelation surprised the members of the Regional Anti-Brontispa Action Team during the meeting on October 15.

Director Olive Tiu of the Philippine Information Agency remarked that the latest figure which Director Nierva gave her was 6,000 infested coconut trees.

Manager Nierva said that the sudden increase in the number of infested coco trees is largely due to the 23,000 infested trees discovered in Capul, Northern Samar.

Manager Nierva informed the body that there are now seven municipalities in the three provinces of Samar with coconut trees infested with the dreaded brontispa or coco leaf beetle.

Five of these municipalities are in Northern Samar, namely, Allen where the first sign of brontispa infestation in the Region was observed, Victoria, Lavizares, San Antonio and Capul.

In Eastern Samar, the municipality of Mercedes have coconut trees already infested while in the province of Samar, brontispa infestation was observed in Paranas town.

Manager Nierva also revealed that of the 40,468 coconut trees infested with brontispa, only 6,000 have been treated with the three types of treatment, the chemical, mechanical and biological treatments.

The members of the Regional Anti-brontispa Action Team asked Director Nierva what is keeping the Philippine Coconut Authority from controlling the infestation since it has been a year since the brontispa infestation was discovered in Allen, Northern Samar.

Manager Nierva said that his agency is having difficulties with the funding for the purchase of chemicals as a priority measure in controlling the pest and saving the coconut tree.