The mango pulp weevil has been detected in Roxas after the municipality was previously considered free of the pest, raising concerns over the effectiveness of quarantine measures intended to keep it from spreading across Palawan.
Department of Agriculture (DA) OIC Agriculture Program Coordinating Officer Eleanor Lotivo disclosed the development during the August 25 Kapihan sa PIA, saying infested mangoes carried by travelers had apparently passed through checkpoints undetected.
“Ang bayan ng Roxas ay negatibo sa infestation noon, pero ngayon ay may naitala na dahil may mga manggang nakakalusot sa mga bag ng mga biyahero na hindi nadidiskubre sa mga checkpoints,” Lotivo said.
The mango pulp weevil, locally known as mangopawel or mangbet, is closely monitored by the DA because officials fear that it could spread outside Palawan and affect the country’s mango industry.
“Napakahirap pong kontrolin ng Mango Pulp Weevil,” Lotivo said.
She said the pest lays its eggs inside young mangoes, allowing the weevil to develop as the fruit matures.
“Sa labas, napakakinis at napakaganda ng mangga, pero kapag binuksan mo ay may mga kanal-kanal at uod sa loob,” she said.
Lotivo said the DA maintains experimental mango plants and follows protocols that include pruning and pesticide application to make the trees less favorable to the pest.
A previous proposal to cut mango trees throughout Palawan to eradicate the pest was not pursued because of opposition to such a measure, she said.
The DA continues to rely on quarantine checkpoints and monitoring to prevent the movement of infested mangoes.
