OPA continues to combat corn Fall Army Worm

The Quick Response Infestation Team (QRIT) from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) in the
Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) has continued to spray using the chemicals to the infested corn areas in the
province who have been attacked by Fall Army Worms (FAW).

Roy Dando, QRIT Team Leader said that the latest planted corn they helped to save were the four hectares (has.)
in Malitbog, Dagohoy.

Using the Benefit, Ariba, Cleo, Match and Chopper chemicals, Dando disclosed that they already sprayed 8.59
has. of corn areas in Trinidad and Danao.

Sprayed last August 6, 2024, were the 1 ha. corn area planted with Traditional Variety in a tasseling stage owned
by Felicisimo Hinlayagan in Hinlayagan Ilaya, Trinidad; .25 ha. (Traditional Variety) in an early whorl stage owned
by Fredo Hinlayagan still in HInlayagan, Trinidad, as the 1.5 has. at the Late Whorl Stage planted with USM 35
variety in Cantubod, Danao owned by Jomar Ayenza were sprayed last August 7, 2024.   

There were also corn areas in Danao sprayed last August 8, 2024 owned by Abundio De Los Reyes (0.6 ha.
planted with traditional variety in an early whorl stage) in Poblacion, Danao; Silvino Ayenza (1.0ha., USM35 variety
in a late whorl stage) in Hibale, Danao; Rey Bantilan (1.0 ha., USM35 variety, tasseling stage) in Poblacion, Danao.

And on August 9, 2024, the team went still in Danao to do the spraying of the infested planted corn owned by
Perfecto Gumapac (1.0 ha., USM35 variety, seedling stage); Demetrio Gumapac (1.0 ha., USM35 variety, early
whorl stage) and another corn farm of Bantilan in the areas of 1.6 has., USM35, late whorl stage in Sta. Fe, Danao.
Dando said that on next week his team will go back to Danao and Trinidad to check if the infested crop has
recovered.

He thanked the Regional Crops Protection Center-Department of Agriculture (DA) 7 and Acting-OPA, Head
Larry M. Pamugas in providing the pesticides or chemicals; some individuals for the sprayers, and the OPA who has
shouldered the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), gasoline and transportation.

Dr. Pamugas and Provincial Agriculturist Liza M. Quirog have asked the Municipal Agriculturists/Municipal
Agricultural Officers (MAs/MAOs) to report immediately if there are reported cases of FAW infestation in their
respective municipalities so as to make any measure to prevent the spread of the dreaded worms, the global invasive
pest.

However, Dando said that so far, there are no additional towns have affected aside from the already reported 325
hectares from the towns of Getafe, Trinidad, Dagohoy, Danao, Sierra-Bullones, Carmen, San Miguel, Dimiao,
Valencia, Mabini and Talibon.

The province of Bohol has a total of 817.81 has. of corn plantations staggered in the municipalities of Alicia,
Anda, Antequera, Baclayon, Balilihan, Batuan, Bien Unido, Bilar, Buenavista, Calape, Candijay, Carmen, Catigbian,
Clarin, Corella, Cortes, Dagohoy, Danao, Dauis, Dimiao, Duero, Garcia Hernandez, Getafe, Guindulman, Inabanga,
Jagna, Loon, Loboc,, Mabini, Maribojoc, Pilar, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Sagbayan, San Miguel, Sevilla, Sierra-
Bullones, Sikatuna, Panglao, Talibon, Trinidad, Ubay and Valencia. By Atoy Cosap