Skip to content

Philippines Today

home of the Global Filipino

Menu
  • News Stories
  • Regional News
  • Business & Economy
  • Science & Technology
  • International
Menu

Science, research reduce ‘cocolisap’ hotspot areas in PHL

Posted on August 17, 2015

By Ma. Cristina C. Arayata

MANILA, Aug. 17 (PNA) — The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) reported recently that the number of “cocolisap” hotspot areas in the country was reduced, and attributed the reduction to a science-based Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Protocol against the pest.

“Cocolisap” or coconut scale insect (CSI) have specialized mouth parts capable of sucking the sap directly from the tree’s vascular system, which causes yellowing, wilting, premature nutfall and low coconut yield.

PCA reported that as of last year, there were only seven cocolisap hotspots in the country, as opposed to its previous total of 57. It added that as of its latest report in July, there are no more hotspots in CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), and the only remaining problem is in Basilan.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) explained that IPM Protocol has several components: leaf pruning and harvesting, trunk injection, organic spraying, mass production of biological control agents, establishment of quarantine checkpoints, surveillance and quick response.

The agency believes that by zeroing in on science, its approach and the use of cutting-edge technologies, the problem on CSIs will be solved.

Local government units, the national government, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources and Development (PCAARD), Department of Agriculture, PCA, University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), National Crop Protection Center (NCPC), Regional Crop Protection Center, Bureau of Plant Industry, coconut farmers all worked together for the establishment of the IPM Protocol.

PCA Administrator Romulo Arancon Jr. said that there were protests from organic advocates with regard to the use of pesticide in trunk injection. He also noted that some farmers doubted the effectiveness of the Protocol.

”Despite criticisms, we need to bite the bullet and trust science,” he emphasized.

Actually, PCAARRD is encouraging scientists to look for more effective technologies and safe strategies in managing CSI infestation. The agency wants to revive the coconut industry and uplift the lives of coconut farmers.

PCAARRD currently funds various research studies on managing CSIs that are being conducted by the UPLB, NCPC and PCA.

Meanwhile, Reynaldo V. Ebora, PCAARRD acting executive director, shared that CSI has created huge damages to coconut farmers in CALABARZON and Basilan.

He cited that about two million trees were infested with varying degrees. Some almost died and are hopeless to recover, while others can still survive if properly handled, he added.

The DOST said that in 2014, a total of 1,660,756 CSI infested trees were leaf pruned in CALABARZON and Basilan and 158,800 in Batangas were fertilized as of March 2014. Furthermore, 1,548,528 CSI-infested trees were trunk- injected with systemic insecticide (Dinotefuran) in CALABARZON and Basilan while 686,848 were sprayed with organic pesticides.

Overall, PhP 177 million was spent for treating CSI-infested trees last year.

As of July, the DOST reported that 559,652 CSI-infested trees have been leaf pruned in CALABARZON and Basilan, 545 have been treated via trunk injection in Sampaloc, Quezon, while 1.3 million trees in CALABARZON are targeted for fertilization this year. (PNA)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • More
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit

Related

News Categories

  • Announcement (34)
  • Business & Economy (1,567)
  • Comment and Opinion (74)
    • Random Thoughts (18)
  • Current Issues (425)
    • Charter Change (1)
    • Election (228)
    • Population (6)
  • International (389)
  • Life In Japan (66)
    • Everything Japan (41)
  • Literary (34)
  • Miscellaneous (610)
  • News Stories (5,312)
  • OFW Corner (297)
  • Others (75)
  • People (408)
  • Press Releases (163)
  • Regional News (3,362)
  • Science and Technology (502)
  • Sports & Entertainment (287)

Latest News

  • BSP keeps policy rates anew December 17, 2015
  • NEDA cuts PHL additional rice import for 2016 by 25% December 17, 2015
  • DA cites serious implications of banning genetically modified products December 17, 2015
  • BBL is not yet dead – Drilon December 17, 2015
  • Comelec recognizes Duterte’s CoC for president December 17, 2015
  • NEDA chief sees 2015 growth at 6% despite typhoons December 17, 2015
  • House of Representatives ratifies bicam report on P3.002-T national budget for 2016 December 17, 2015
  • Cebu-based developer invests PHP430M to build 709 townhouse units in north Cebu town December 17, 2015
  • City gov’t eyes P75-M income from economic enterprise December 17, 2015
  • Baguio City LGU presents traffic plan for holiday season December 17, 2015

Archives

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Science and Technology

  • DOST-ICTO targets 500,000 web-based workers from countryside by 2016
  • (Feature) STARBOOKS: A ‘makeover’ for librarians
  • Science, research reduce ‘cocolisap’ hotspot areas in PHL
  • Montejo to further improve PAGASA and empower scientists
  • 1st PPP in biomedical research produces knee replacement system fit for Asians

Press Releases

  • Microsoft to buy Nokia’s mobile devices business for 5.44-B euros
  • New World Bank climate change report should spur SEA and world leaders into action: Greenpeace
  • Save the Philippine Seas before it’s too late — Greenpeace
  • Palanca Awards’ last call for entries
  • Philippines joins the global call for Arctic protection

Comment and Opinion

  • Remembering the dead is a celebration of life
  • Killer earthquake unlikely to hit Panay Island in near future – analyst
  • It’s not just more fun to invest in the Philippines, it is also profitable, says President Aquino
  • How does one differentiate a tamaraw from a carabao?
  • Fun is not just about the place, it is also about the people, says DOT chief

OFW Corner

  • Ebola infection risk low in Croatia
  • Death toll rises to 41, over 100 still missing in landslide in India
  • Asbestos use in construction a labor hazard
  • 500,000 OFWs to benefit POEA on-line transactions — Baldoz
  • 25 distressed OFWs return home from Riyadh
©2025 Philippines Today | Design: Newspaperly WordPress Theme