The Philippine Coconut Office Region IV (PCA R-IV) and Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Quezon have concluded the monitoring and surveillance of coconut trees in Pagbilao, Quezon following the presence of coconut scale insects (CSI) in the province.
The agencies conducted trimming activities to stop if not slow down the spread of CSI.
Cases of CSI infestation of coconut trees is not new in the country. In 2009 the problem plagued some parts of Luzon and Mindanao until 2013.
According to Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), there were reported 800,00 cases of affected coconut trees in CALABARZON in 2013 especially in Lemery and Tanauan in Batangas.
The DOST-PCAARRD has initiated strategies in Calabarzon including assessing the extent of the infestation through GPS Dara recording and introducing preventive chemical and protocol control.