MANILA — The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) reported that more than 500,000 coconut trees across nine regions in the country have been infested by the destructive pest known as cocolisap or coconut scale insect.

The cocolisap is a small, white or brown insect that clings to the underside of coconut leaves and sucks out nutrients, causing severe damage to trees.

PCA Administrator Dexter Buted said the agency was taking action to control the spread of the infestation. One of the primary methods being implemented is the cutting down of trees already affected by cocolisap.

“Alam mo kapag pinutol yan tapos ibinilad sa araw, nakakatulong yun, nakakabawas, namamatay ulit sila at ito ay para makontrol ang pagkalat sa mga hindi apektadong puno,” Buted said.

He added that the agency was employing biological control agents and using organic pesticides and solutions to address the issue.

According to Buted, coconut plantations in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Caraga are now affected.

In Barangay Pandan in Real, Quezon, at least 1,000 coconut trees have been infested, while in Barangay Don Juan Vercelos in San Francisco, Quezon, around 800 trees have been affected.

“Recurring ito lalo na kapag every mainit ang panahon, summer talagang doon nagmu-multiply ang ating mga cocolisap, minsan lumilipat sa ibang region,” Buted said.

Photo from Philippine Coconut Authority

If the spread of the pest is not contained, Buted believes it could have a significant impact on coconut production and the overall coconut industry.

“Sinisipsip yung nutrient ng ating puno kaya lumiliit yung kanyang produksyon, sinisipsip yung katas ng dahon, nagdudulot ng paninilaw, pagkulubot at pagkatuyo ng dahon, ibig sabihin humihina ang puno at bumababa ang kakayahan ng magkaroong ng maraming bunga so yun ang problema natin dito,” he said.

“Napakalakas pa naman ngayon ng niyog sa world market, talagang makikita mo ang pagbulusok ng ating kopra,” he added.

In 2011, the cocolisap infestation was first reported in Batangas and later spread throughout Calabarzon and other parts of the country, killing thousands of coconut trees.