Angara's warning heeded
PGMA declares state of emergency in all coconut-growing provinces

"The coconut industry will be wiped out in three years unless we intensify efforts in controlling the CLB infestation."

The next day after Senator Edgardo Angara delivered a privilege speech warning the public of the Coconut Leaf Beetle (CLB) infestation ravaging the country's coconut industry[1], President Gloria Macapagal signed Executive Order 664 establishing emergency measures to control and eradicate the spread and damage of the said infestation.

In just two years since it entered the Philippines, the CLB infestation has quickly spread all over the country-- damaging 22[2] provinces ranging from Region I to XIV.

In his speech, Senator Angara urged the president to declare a state of emergency in all coconut-growing provinces and provide funding from the national government and the local government units' (LGU) calamity funds to address the infestation.

The EO designates the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to be the lead implementing agency in eradicating the CLB infestation, authorizing it in coordination with the Bureau of Plant industry (BPI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to set up quarantine stations and investigations on transport and sale of CLB-infected plants.

EO 664 also empowers LGUs to participate in the local implementation of emergency measures, allowing for the use of funds and other resources for information campaigns, ordinances, resolutions and other relevant orders.

Lastly, penalties such as confiscation and fines shall be imposed on entities violating the measures on the proper transport and sale of coconut plants and seedlings, and ornamental palms.

Permits on the transport and sale of coconut planting materials and ornamental palms shall be issued by the PCA and BPI respectively to ensure that these are not infected by the CLB.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has also committed Php50 million to address the CLB infestation, and will be coordinating with the League of Provinces and League of Cities of the Philippines in the measures to eradicate the pest infestation.

[1] The country's oldest and most strategic industry, the coconut industry contributes 1.14% of GDP amounting to US$ 760 million. The Philippines is a world leader in coconut exports, dominating 59% of the global market.

[2] Provinces affected by CBL infestations: Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Bulacan, Manila, Aurora, Palawan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Albay, Zamboanga, Camarines Nortre, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Aklan, Bohol, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Bukidnon, and Davao City