Armyworms attack Philippines farms

Philippines Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala ordered the distribution of P900,000-worth of knapsack sprayers and carbaryl and pyrethroid insecticides to control the spread of armyworms that attack farms in Batangas, Cavite and Quezon.

He has instructed Undersecretary Joel Rudinas and Assistant Secretary Dennis Araullo to monitor the infestations and ccordinate with local government officials and agriculture technicians.

Alcala also instructed the Department of Agriculture regional field units in Regions IV-A (CALABARZON) and III (Central Luzon), and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to work closely with the respective provincial and municipal governments, particularly in Bataan, Cavite , Batangas, and Quezon — where the armyworm infestations were reported.