In order to stop the increase of harmful plant pests and diseases in the five (5) provinces of MiMaRoPa, the Department of Agriculture through the Regional Regulatory Division with its Chief, Ms. Helen O. Aceret, conducted a training on Plant Pest and Diseases Identification, Monitoring, Surveillance and Early Warning.
It was participated by 33 Agricultural Extension Workers comprised of Provincial and Municipal Agriculturist, Coordinators and Technicians along with the technical staff from Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) and DA-MiMaRoPa’s banner program (rice, corn and high value crops). The group were gathered together from March 1 to 3, 2017 at the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Malate, Manila.
Dr. Louella Rowena J. Lorenzana, Assistant Regional Director for Research and Regulations, stressed out the importance of surveillance as a good decision tool. “…kapag tinanong ka kung ano ang infestation level sa isang lugar, you can only answer that if you have accurate data at hindi ka pwedeng manghula”, she said. She also congratulated the Regional Field Office for being the lead agency to certify all organic stations in the province.
The organic producers in Oriental Mindoro that were certified are the Gabutero Organic Farm owned by Nelson Gabutero from Bongabong, DJMV Farm of Dewey Albufera from Naujan, and Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Center in Victoria. They are now targeting Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certification.
Ms. Helen O. Aceret encouraged everyone to work hand-in-hand to fully implement the activity, to help the farmers in their production, high yield and safe food for everyone.
To harmonize data and forms, each province identified the commodities and plant pests to be monitored in their areas as well as the important pests and diseases of crops. The group also came up with an agreement to officially use the standard forms used by the BPI in monitoring and reporting. Submission of reports from Municipal Agriculture Office to Provincial Agriculture Office [2nd day of the succeeding month] and to RFO through the Regulatory Division [5th day of the succeeding month] which also be submitted to RCPC were also set. While the submission of reports from RCPC to BPI was every 15th day of every quarter.
This monitoring system is needed to suppress the population of harmful pests and diseases and preserve the beneficial organisms in the farm and to come up with an accurate pest forecast to inform the concerned area regarding the possible attacked.
Mr. Jehu Michael Q. Barrientos, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Coordinator from Occidental Mindoro, suggested to conduct another training for the Municipal Local Government Units since they are the ones who will use the new forms. In addition, this is for them to be aware of the importance of conducting and implementing the monitoring system in every province.
Topics concerning different plant pest and diseases were discussed by the technical staff from RCPC-CaLaBaRZon: Ms. Cecille Marie C. Manzanilla, Chief, Ms. Sierralyn S. Sandoval, Senior Science Research Specialist (Sr. SRS), Ms. Pamela Marasigan, Sr. SRS, Ms. Madora Abril Dacer, SRS I. While speakers from BPI tackled topics related to pest monitoring and forecast. They were Dr. Lilia A. Portales and Ms. Lisa P. Tagaan of Plant Health and Pest Status Section and Ms. Russ-Uzi Mayenne A. Ebora of Pest Forecasting Section.
