The Provincial Agriculture Office of Basilan Province has asked rubber tree farmers to wait for all the leaves affected by Pestalotiopsis to fall and let their trees recover before tapping them again.
Task Force Pestalotiopsis is going around the province to assess the damage brought by the diseases that damage rubber trees causing their production to fall.
“We want to inform the public that we are doing everything we can to reach you with our service; but due to the extent of our jurisdiction, it will not be completed immediately. The notification may be relayed if we are close to your area,” Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Surhayda T. Aguisanda said.
In January 2023, the Provincial Government of Basilan declared the island in a state of Calamity due to the economic losses as an effect of the rubber leaf fall disease.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has approved the allocation of P110 million in additional funds requested by the Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI) intended to treat infected rubber plantations in the province.
The supplemental budget was deemed necessary following the outbreak of Pestalotiopsis disease in more than 800 hectares of plantation in the province, infecting 40-100% of the trees.
Pestalotiopsis leaf fall disease can cause the gradual falling of leaves. If left untreated, it will cause the tree to become leafless. Leaf fall or defoliation results in a decrease in the number of canopies in the rubber plant which decreases its latex production.
Last month, the provincial government started aerial spraying on affected rubber trees using treatment solutions and the newly purchased T-40 Agras agriculture drone in Barangay Sengal, Lamitan City.
Under a one-year treatment plan, the rubber trees will undergo mist fogging, aerial drone spraying of fungicide, fertilization, and weed management.
Aguisanda asked rubber farmers to apply fertilizer to increase rubber resistance, and avoid planting rubber first because this disease is carried to the seed.
“When the rubber tree is at 70-100% defoliation or almost no leaves, we advise you to stop tapping to give the tree enough time to sprout new leaves. Keep your tapping knife and equipment clean and your cup lumps and coagulum clean.
“Any step regarding the treatment of rubber, better to seek advice from your nearest City and Municipal Agriculture Office, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist or Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform,” Aguisanda added.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Provincial Agriculture, Kasilasa Center, Basilan Provincial Police Office (BPPO) already began their relief distribution for the municipalities across the province of Basilan. Food packs containing 10 kg. of rice with coffee and sardines were given to the rubber tappers and their families affected by the rubber leaf fall disease.
Some 740 food packs were distributed in Tuburan Municipality and 490 food packs to Hadji Mohammad Ajul town.
