By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) confirmed that they have detected a presence of cocolisap bugs in four local government units in Negros Occidental, prompting authorities to begin enacting biosecurity measures.

Based on the PCA’s monitoring, 5,000 coconut trees in the cities of La Carlota and Bago, and the municipalities of Murcia and La Castellana were affected.

Cocolisap infests by eating the coconut tree leaves, fruits and flowers until only the trunk is left.

According to PestNet, a network that helps planters obtain rapid advice for crop protection, cocolisap infestation in the country was first detected in Batangas in 2009, although scientists traced its origin to Indonesia’s Sangi island in the 1920s.

Since then, outbreaks of cocolisap have taken place in the country. The worst was in 2014, when 2.1 million coconut trees were affected in Calabarzon and in parts of Mindanao.

Meanwhile, Dr. Dina Genzola, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist officer-in-charge, said several partner agencies, including the PCA, are continuing its investigation on the cocolisap infestation in the province.

La Carlota Mayor Rex Jalando-on said their city agriculturist has already begun training with the PCA on how they could implement biosecurity measures.

The PCA maintains a biological control laboratory in Bago City’s Barangay Mailum.

Currently, local agriculturists and farmers are being trained to culture insect predators that specifically target pests./DGB, WDJ