Gov’t sets out solution to cocolisap infestation in Basilan

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=11&rid=922716
• Tuesday, September 13, 2016

By Leslie D. Venzon [(PNA), RMA/LDV]

MANILA, Sept. 13 (PNA) -- The government will undertake quick and long-term solutions to cocolisap infestation, that is now destroying the Php 2.2-billion coconut industry of Basilan island province.

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said a three-pronged solution to the infestation of insects had been agreed during the consultation-dialogue with farmer-leaders and local officials at the Basilan State College.

Piñol noted that livelihood projects would immediately be provided to the farmers whose farms were destroyed by cocolisap.

He said this would include rice, corn and vegetable seeds, livestock dispersal and grant of tractors to the different farmers' groups.

“In addition to the farming support, I also pledged to provide poor fisherfolk families with 1,000 units of fiberglass fishing boats complete with engines, nets and hook and lines,” he said.

Piñol also committed the establishment of ice-making facilities in fishing towns in the province and the creation of a cold storage facility.

He said the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. was also instructed to cover with insurance the farmers of the province so that they would be able to recover from the devastation of the cocolisap.

Loans through the Agricultural Credit and Policy Council would also be granted while scholarships for children of poor farmers and fishermen were offered in the Basilan State College, he added.

Piñol said the medium-term solution involved the treatment of coconut trees already attacked by cocolisap, and the protection of coconut trees which have not been affected.

He added the country would also establish strict quarantine measures to prevent the spread of the infestation.

Further, the agriculture chief said the long-term solution includes replanting of new varieties of coconut trees in areas which have been totally devastated.

He added secondary crops under the coconuts like abaca, coffee and cacao would also be introduced.

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered Piñol to help address the cocolisap infestation which destroys about three million coconut trees in Basilan.