By JEN BAYLON

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) will be establishing checkpoints to combat the threat of cocolisap infestation in Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City.

The checkpoints in Barangay San Miguel will serve as a critical line of defense against cocolisap among coconut trees and prevent further spread throughout the province.

Several PCA personnel visited the village to monitor and implement measures to control the spread of the destructive pest.

Meanwhile, La Carlota Mayor Rex Jalando-on said this is not the first time cocolisap has emerged in the city.

“Despite previous efforts, control has been inadequate, even with bio-controlled insects in place,” Jalando-on said.

Barangay tanods will undergo training in combating the cocolisap infestation, by learning how to identify infested trees and enforce quarantine measures effectively.

The local government is committed to supporting farmers and ensuring the sustainability of coconut production.

In 2023, the PCA reported that approximately 5,000 coconut trees in La Carlota and neighboring municipalities were affected by cocolisap, which feeds on coconut leaves and fruits, leading to severe damage.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has issued an executive order designating PCA as the lead agency in managing the infestation, highlighting the significant threat posed to the coconut industry and the livelihoods of nearly 14,000 farmers in the province.

Cocolisap, also known as “aspidiotus regidus,” attaches itself to coconut leaves, feeding on its sap directly drawn from the plant’s vascular system, devastating bearing and non-bearing coconut trees./JB, WDJ