Heading south on SLEx and on the Star tollway, it is impossible not to notice the sorry state of coconut trees lining the roadsides. Many of the trees are obviously old and probably need to be replaced. Even more noticeable are the sick trees, with bottom leaves either yellowing or already dark brown rather than green.
Once one reaches Tanauan, it becomes clear that this infestation is a serious threat to Calabarzon’s coconuts. Tanauan’s trees are almost totally gone, and this statement is not hyperbole. Official estimates state that some 700,000 trees in Calabarzon have been infected, so the “unofficial reality” could even be more than a million trees.
People at the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) are quick to point out that the infestation began as early as 2004, during the time of La Gloria Arroyo. However, since the assumption of the P-Noy administration in 2010, it seems little has been done to address the problem.
PCA insiders have admitted that over P20 million has been spent to find possible solutions. The team handling the research and tests on this large-scale insect infestation is asking for additional budget (P50 million) so they can continue with their work, including the possibility of acquiring cranes to carry workers high up to spray tall coconut trees. However, until today, no infestation antidote has been discovered. Given the insensitivity of the government bureaucracy, it may take a bit more time to reach just this point.
And yet, the threat is all too real. Amid the efforts of President Aquino and the private sector to find new products for export, which could very well include coco-based goods and cause a “renaissance” for our coconut industry, the PCA and DA are doing nothing concrete and tangible in this direction.
Many local and foreign products have been offered for testing by the PCA, including proposals like encasing sick trees in mosquito nets and using Joy detergent to wash the leaves. One research official has claimed that the PCA already has a successful test but, to date, this has not been put to use.
For the sake of the 25 million Filipinos who depend on the coconut industry for their livelihood, we call on President Aquino to personally get involved in this effort. Sick coconut trees cannot be allowed to line up any side of the Daang Matuwid.
—JOSE OSIAS,
jzosias@gmail.com