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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Armyworm ravages Negros Island; Zubiri seeks DA help

Armyworm ravages Negros Island; Zubiri seeks DA help

Published Jul 3, 2024 02:35 pm

BACOLOD CITY – Sen. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri is seeking the assistance of the Department of Agriculture (DA) against armyworm infestation on Negros Island. 

ARMYWORM.jpeg

ARMYWORMS have devastated farms in Negros Occidental. (Photo courtesy of Atty. Dino Yulo Facebook)

“I will call DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to release emergency funds for Negros Occidental and other areas in Negros Island affected by the armyworm infestation,” Zubiri said in a press briefing at L’Fisher Hotel here on Wednesday, July 3.

Zubiri said that he learned about the infestation affecting corn and sugar plantations in the province when he arrived in this city on Tuesday night, July 2. “It is an offshoot of the El Niño phenomenon,” he added.

He said that the only way to fight the infestation is providing farmers with pesticides and insecticides. But Zubiri said that pesticides and insecticides are expensive, thus, he has to ask the DA for funding.

As of June 27, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) reported that 40 barangays in nine areas in the province have been affected by armyworms – the cities of Himamaylan and Kabankalan and the towns of Isabela, Binalbagan, Moises Padilla, Ilog, La Castellana, Cauayan, and Murcia.

Mostly affected were corn plantations and sugarcane and banana plantations in Himamaylan City and Isabela town, respectively. 

A total of 663 farmers with 558.23 hectares of plantations were affected. Himamaylan City has 307, 172 in Isabela town, 99 in Binalbagan, 39 in Moises Padilla, 36 in Kabankalan City, and five each in the towns of Ilog and La Castellana.

The OPA said that local government units (LGUs) in the province are on alert regarding the infestation.

It has provided available pesticides and pheromone attractants (lure) and facilitated aerial spraying in collaboration with Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) and partner-agencies.

The OPA has mobilized its climate resiliency management task force and conducted a series of information drives on expected pest outbreaks after a long drought and training on pest surveillance, management, and control.

It has recommended the emergency purchase of insecticides and personal protective equipment (PPE), assignment of standby vehicle for mobility in upland areas, augmentation of labor force for the spraying operation, and continuous surveillance, assessment, orientation, and conduct of pest control and management in collaboration with LGUs, DA, SRA, and other partner agencies. 

The OPA recommended the continuous conduct of sustainable, participatory crop protection activities in the communities through people’s organization and the activation of the Bantay Peste Brigade.

Related Tags

Negros Island Armyworm Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri
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