AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE ENTRY OF COCONUT PARTS AND ALL NATURAL HOSTS OF COCONUT PESTS AND DISEASES SPECIFICALLY COCONUT CADANG-CADANG DISEASE AND BRONTISPA LONGISSIMA PEST BROUGHT BY ANY PERSONS OR BY OTHER MEANS THROUGH AIT, LAND AND SEA INTO THE URISDICTION OF THIS MUNICIPALITY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY (BPI) ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 13, SERIES OF 2004, BPI SPECIAL QUARANTINE ORDER NO. 13, SERIES OF 2005 AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 72 (SERIES OF 2006).
Authored by: Kag. Nicanor J. Lamoste
WHEREAS, the major diseases and pests affecting the coconut industry include the Cadang-cadang Disease and the Brontispa longissima which have caused severe losses to major coconut-producing regions in the country and other coconut-producing countries in the world;
WHEREAS, Central Visayas is endangered by these pests and diseases of its proximity and transport accessibility to affected provinces thus posing a serious threat to the coconut industry which is more means of livelihood in the region;
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has issued BPI Administrative Order No. 13, Series of 2004 entitled, “Declaring the Cadang-cadang a Manageable Disease and Providing for a Containment and Quarantine Control Program in Affected Areas” and BPI Special Quarantine No. 3, Series of 2005 “Declaring the Coconut Leaf Beetle, Brontispa Longissima (Gestro), an Invasive Pest of Coconut and Providing Measures to Regulate and Prevent Its Spread”;
WHEREAS, the Regional Development Council has passed RDC Resolution No. 72 (Series of 2006) “Enjoining LGUs to Pass and Implement Ordinances which will Prevent the Entry of Coconut Pests and Diseases into Central Visayas Provinces”;
WHEREFORE, be it ordained by the Sangguniang Bayan of Maribojoc in session duly assembled that:
SECTION 1: Title
This shall be known as “An Ordinance Providing Measures to Ensure a Coconut Cadang-cadang Disease-Free and Brontisma longissima Pest-Free Municipality of Maribojoc, Bohol;
SECTION 2: Definition of Terms
a. Coconut Cadang-cadang Disease – a disease of coconut characterized by premature decline and death of coconut palms in the Philippines associated with viroid infection.
b. Brontispa Longissima – a coconut leaf beetle that generally feeds on the young spears of seedlings, ornamental palms, and mature coconut trees, the insect also causes the decay and drying of different parts of the trees, thus preventing them from bearing fruits, and eventually killing the tree; generally brown in color and measures 7.5-10 mm. long and 1.5-2 mm. wide.
c. Natural hosts of the Coconut Cadang-cadang Disease-include all members of the palm family: oil palm, buri palm, betel nut palm, Manila palm, palmera, royal palm, Mac Arthur palm, date palm.
d. Natural hosts of the Brontispa longisima pest – include sago palm, area or betel nut palm, royal palm, oil palm and ornamental palms, nicobar palm, carpenteria palm, fish tail palm, ivory nut palm, king palm, dwarf date palm;
e. Entry Quarentine Checkpoints – designated areas in posts of entry monitor/regulate the movement of coconut materials and other natural hosts of the Cadang-cadang disease and Brontispa longissima pest.
SECTION 3: Implementing Provisions
The following preventive, containment and eradication measures will be implemented in relation to this ordinance:
a. Conduct of periodic general surveillance and monitoring activities at the barangay and municipal levels to detect coconut disease infection and Brontispa longissima pest, respectively, and reporting of any such occurrences through channel;
b. Conduct of massive information campaigns at the barangay and municipal levels through trainings, meetings, consultations and distribution of reference materials to create public awareness and concern;
c. Establishment of entry quarantine checkpoints to prohibit the entry of coconut parts (including freshly-sawn lumber) and other natural hosts of the Cadang- cadang disease and Brontispa longissima pest;
d. Mobilization of all concerned personnel and agencies in case of Cadang-cadang disease and Brontispa longissima pest detection with the LGU providing the finding support and with other agencies particularly the Philippine Coconut Authority and the Bureau of Plant rendering technical assistance with regard to containment and eradication measures.
SECTION 4: Sanctions
Violations of any provisions of this Ordinance shall be meted the following sanctions.
a. First offense – Warning and confiscation
Parts of the coconut palm and other natural bosts to be confiscated are embryos, pollens, seednuts and seedlings intended for planting of propagation purposes with regard to the Coconut Cadang-cadang Disease while palm seedlings, plants and germinated seednuts including fronds will be confiscated with the regard to the Brontispa longisima pest.
b. Succeeding offenses – Fine or imprisonment based on the provisions of BPI Quarantine Administrative Orders:
1. Section 11 of BPI Quarantine Administrative Order No. 13, Series of 2004 (For Coconut-cadang Disease) – Any person, company or corporation who violates the provisions of this Administrative Order, or forges, counterfeits, alters, defaces and destroys any document issued by virtue of this Administrative Order shall be fined not more than P100,000.00 or penalized by imprisonment from prison correctional to prison mayor or both at the discretion of the Court.
2. Section 7 of BPI Special Quarantine Order No. 03, Series of 2005 (For Brontispa longissima pest) – 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 5: Implementing Offices and Agencies
a. The Local Government Unit (LGU) shall provide the funding support in the implementation of prevention, containment and eradication measures against the Coconut Cadang-cadang Disease and Brontispa longissima.
b. The Philippine Coconut Authority, Bureau of Plant Industry/Department of Agriculture shall spearhead the conduct of massive information campaign in the municipality and will provide technical assistance in the event of coconut disease infection or coconut pest infestation in the locality. These agencies shall also deputize selected PCA and LGU personnel to provide technical assistance to quarantine officers in the ports of entry.
c. The Philippine National Police (PNP) shall be the apprehending agency against violators of this ordinance in cooperation with barangay officials and barangay tanods.
d. The Municipal Treasurer shall collect the fines with regard to violations of this ordinance and put such collection in a trust fund to be exclusively used in the implementation of this ordinance.
e. The Philippine Ports Authority, the Air Transportation Office and the Bureau of Customs shall assist and cooperate in the strict enforcement of BPI Administrative Orders relative to this disease and pest.
f. All companies engaged in land, water or air transportation shall assist/cooperate with above-concerned offices/agencies in the enforcement of the provisions of this ordinance.
SECTION 6: Repealing Clause
Nay previous Municipal Ordinances not consistent with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed modified.
SECTION 7: Effectivity.
This ordinance shall take effect ___ days upon approval by the Local Chief Executive to give ample time for the information dissemination hereof.
I HEREBY CERTIFY TO THE CORRECTNESS OF THE ABOVE QUOTED ORDINANCE:
PHILIP R. MEDEQUISO
Vice Mayor
ATTESTED:
ERLINDA V. CASTILLON
Acting Secretary to the Sanggunian
APPROVED:
ENGR. GABINO C. REDULLA
Municipal Mayor
Date signed: April 13, 2007