BACOLOD City – In response to a severe fall armyworm infestation, Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental has reactivated its Barangay Bantay Peste Brigade, targeting the pests that threaten local sugarcane and corn production.
The city’’s agriculture office confirmed that, as of June 21, approximately 64.65 hectares of cornfields across three barangays have been afflicted, impacting 124 local farmers.
The infestation levels include 50% of 18.88 hectares in Barangay San Antonio, 54% of 13.17 hectares in Barangay Mahalang, and 65% of 32.6 hectares in Barangay Carabalan.
The situation has escalated with the recent report that 82 hectares of sugarcane fields have also been affected by the armyworms, leading to a city-wide mobilization to address the issue.
On June 27, 2024, city officials, along with the Association of Barangay Captains and the City Agriculture Office (CAO), convened to reinforce the pest control initiatives.
The CAO has expedited the acquisition of farm chemicals essential for mitigating the armyworm damage, and plans are underway to utilize the allocated crop protection budget more effectively in the coming months.
Mayor Raymund Tongson emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are fast-tracking the processing of requests before the infestation spreads to more agricultural areas in Himamaylan.”
He also noted that barangay officials will receive training in pest and disease management to better equip them against future outbreaks.
Further, the local government has sought assistance from the Negros Occidental Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) to deploy drones for extensive spraying operations. Collaborative efforts with 5th District’s Cong. Dino Yulo, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), and various private entities are also in place to bolster the anti-pest campaign.
In addition to immediate response measures, the OPA and SRA have initiated large-scale spraying operations in sugarcane fields, particularly in Barangay Cabadiangan, with the infestation reportedly affecting 558.23 hectares of various crops, impacting 663 farmers across several localities.
As the city braces for a continued battle against the fall armyworm, ongoing support and coordination among local and provincial authorities remain crucial to safeguarding the agricultural livelihoods of the region./PN
