By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

According to the Negros Occidental Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, around six hectares of cornfields are affected by the ongoing fall armyworm infestation. Department head, Atty. Japhet Masculino, said, based on reports provided by city and municipal agriculturists, four areas are currently experiencing an impact from the infestation.
La Carlota City recorded around 0.7 hectares affected, La Castellana – 2.25 hectares, Pontevedra – 0.25 hectares, and San Carlos City –nearly one hectare.
Damages are estimated at P200,000.
In response, Masculino said they have sprayed insecticide across the affected areas to contain the infestation.
Earlier, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson issued an executive order calling for the creation of a coordinating task force on fall armyworm.
According to the order, there is a “critical need” to ensure preparedness and strengthen pest surveillance and management activities in the province.
The pest attacks rice, corn, soybeans, sugarcane, and some vegetables.
According to a memorandum from the Bureau of Plant Industry from last May, the destructive pest has a high reproductive rate and is difficult to control as they have a natural tolerance for some insecticides./DGB, WDJ