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WHEREAS, it has been reported and verified that Coconut Leaf Beetle, Brontispa longissima now exists in Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon and Bulacan, possibly introduced and spread through the importation and movement of infested palms;

WHEREAS, the invasive insect pest has not been observed in Davao and Cebu;

WHEREAS, the coconut industry continues to contribute to the Philippine economy an estimated 750 M USD annually and it is crucial if the Philippines is to maintain or improve its position as the world's second largest producer of coconut products;

WHEREAS, surveys confirmed that B. longissima develop and inflicts damage in coconut and other native as well as exotic ornamental palms;

WHEREAS, the Department of Agriculture issued Special Order No. 256 series of 2005, Constituting the Interagency Brontispa Action Team (BAT) for the Abatement of the Invasive Coconut Leaf Beetle (B. longissima) Infestation;

WHEREAS, BAT, in collaboration with local government units and other concerned agencies will conduct surveillance, research and control measure activities to abate coconut leaf beetle infestation in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, if the spread of this invasive pest is not regulated and contained, it may virtually wipe out the coconut industry in the country;

WHEREAS, it is necessary that quarantine measures be put in place in order to arrest and prevent spread of the disease to other non-infested areas;

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in the Director of the Bureau of Plant Industry by P.D. 1433, otherwise known as the Plant Quarantine Decree of 1978, this Special Order is hereby promulgated as follows:

SECTION 1. The Coconut Leaf Beetle (Brontispa longissima) is hereby declared an injurious and invasive pest of coconut.

SECTION 2. Metro Manila and the provinces of Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, and Bulacan in the island of Luzon are hereby declared infested with Coconut Leaf Beetle and shall be placed under quarantine;

SECTION 3. The movement/transfer/carrying of palm seedlings, plants and germinated seednuts including fronds from infested areas to non-infested areas in Luzon to Visayas and Mindanao is strictly prohibited. However, movement/transfer/carrying of seed nuts may be allowed if a permit to transport has been secured from the Director of the Bureau of Plant Industry or his authorized representatives.

SECTION 4. Importation of palm seedlings, plants and germinated seednuts from countries with known and reported infestation of B. longissima in Guangdong Province of Mainland China, Hainan Islands, Hongkong and Taiwan ROC, Maldives, parts of Southeast Asia, namely: Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam; and parts of Oceania, namely: American Samoa, French Polynesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Northern Mariana Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, Western Samoa and Queensland and Northern Territory of Australia is strictly prohibited until such time that ecological balance between the pest and its natural enemies has been established.

SECTION 5. In order to carry out the effective quarantine and control measures against the spread of coconut leaf beetle, the Director of the Bureau of Plant Industry, in

accordance with Section 16 of P.D. 1433, and in coordination with BAT, may request national, provincial, municipal and barangay officials and members of the Armed Forces to assist in the implementation/enforcement of such promulgated quarantine measures in order to contain, prevent the spread and ultimately eradicate the said pest;

SECTION 6. All companies engaged in land, water or air transportation shall assist/cooperate with the Director of the Bureau of Plant Industry or his authorized representatives in the strict enforcement of the provisions of this Order pursuant to Section 6, Rule VI of BPI Quarantine Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 1981 by not allowing or accepting shipments, conveying or shipping palm seedlings, plants and germinated seednuts from infested areas to non-infested areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao;

SECTION 7. Any person who violates the provision of this Order or forges, counterfeits, alters, defaces or destroys any document issued by virtue thereof, shall be fined the amount of not more than P20,000.00 or by imprisonment from prison correctional to prison mayor or both, in the discretion of the Court as provided for under Section 23 of P.D. 1433.

SECTION 8. This order shall supersede and/or revoke orders inconsistent herewith and shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in Official Gazette and/or newspaper of general circulation.

Adopted: 24 Oct. 2005

(SGD.) DOMINGO F. PANGANIBAN
Secretary