SAN AGUSTIN, PILI, CAMARINES SUR - There are now over 1,338 hectares in 29 municipalities in 4 provinces of Bicol which are positive for rice black bug (RBB) infestation as reported by Dr. Evangeline C. de la Trinidad, chief of the Regional Crop Protection Center of the Department of Agriculture. De la Trinidad however, added that “the pest population is not so dense to cause severe damage.” De la Trinidad who oversees the monitoring, surveillance ,control and management of plant pests said that, so far, the average number of RBB per plant is ranged from 2-4 which is still below the tolerable level set at 5 bugs per plant.

        The four provinces which have been confirmed positive for rice black bug infestation are: Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.

        Sorsogon where the pest where first reported in November last year, has over 534 hectares affected in 83 barangays from 8 municipalities. Albay, where the pest were first reported in April, this year has over 76 hectares affected in 28 barangays from 6 municipalities. Camarines Sur, where the pest was first reported in May, has over 264 areas affected in 35 barangays from 5 municipalities and Catanduanes, where the pest were sighted only last June, over 473 hectares were affected in 59 barangays from 10 municipalities.

        Director Fortin, who has first hand experience in the control and management of this pest during his stint in Region 8 shared his experiences during his first meeting with the DA regional management staff. He instructed the operations personnel to work closely with the local chief executives to address this problem on black bug. He said that the LGU’s must be empowered to take the lead in addressing local concerns. He also underscored the importance of intensifying information campaign, giving the right information and managing public anxiety.

        Biological control measure using Metarhizium, a fungus that could infect the rice black bug is the major activity being undertaken by the DA to arrest the spread of this pest. A Metarihzium laboratory has been established at the DA regional office for the main purpose of producing this biocontrol fungal agent. Some 765 kilograms of metharizium has been distributed by the DA to over 280 farmers. The DA has also assisted LGUs in the establishment of some 39 light traps. Public awareness is also being aggressively undertaken through conduct of briefings, conferences, radio interviews, radio plugs, publication of flyers, posters, flip chart and issuances of news releases. (Emily B. Bordado)