BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) continues to support corn farmers as the damage caused by armyworms to plantations has reached PHP50.238 million as of August 12, according to a report released on Wednesday.
The infestation, first reported in June, has spread to farms across 18 local government units (LGUs), affecting 3,377.61 hectares and impacting 5,256 farmers in 120 villages.
"We have taken actions to address the fall armyworm infestation," said OPA officer-in-charge Dina Genzola in a report to Governor Eugenio Lacson.
Efforts to combat the infestation include the procurement of neem oil-based insecticides, conducting orientations, and supervised spraying as part of the campaign's mitigating measures. The OPA has also facilitated the distribution of phentoate-based and nembicidine insecticides provided by the Department of Agriculture-Regional Crop Protection Center and the Bureau of Plant Industry central office to the affected LGUs.
Additionally, fall armyworm lures have been distributed, and traps have been installed across approximately 650 hectares of infested areas to control the male adult population. Spraying activities are ongoing in farms located in Murcia, Isabela, Binalbagan, La Castellana, and Himamaylan City, with the collaboration of partner government agencies and private firms.
The Bantay Peste Brigade in each LGU has been activated to assist in reporting pest infestations, and a request to procure PHP3 million worth of insecticides is currently being processed, according to the OPA.
The consolidated data indicates that San Carlos City has reported the highest amount of damage at PHP9.465 million, followed by the neighboring Calatrava town at PHP9.172 million, Moises Padilla at PHP6.648 million, La Castellana at PHP4.439 million, and Himamaylan City at PHP3.772 million.
Other affected areas include Isabela (PHP3.291 million), Murcia (PHP3.211 million), Cauayan (PHP2.765 million), Toboso (PHP2.56 million), and Don Salvador Benedicto (PHP2.353 million). The remaining localities with reported damage valued below PHP1 million are Hinigaran, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Bago City, Kabankalan City, and Sipalay City. (PNA)
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