Pangasinan Free From Mango Pulp And Seed Weevils
Mangoes produced in Pangasinan have been certified to be free from mango pulp and seed weevils after the conduct of survey by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Progress. The survey was funded by the USDA and conducted by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to determine the presence or absence of the mango pulp and seed weevil, using US protocol.
This certification signals the eligibility of Pangasinan mango to enter into the U.S. market and other countries as well. Pangasinan accounts for 39.5 percent of the national production of 1,022,399 metric tons or almost half of the total production in the Ilocos Region.
Conducted from September 2006 to June 2007 under the USDA-BPI project “Enhancing Competitiveness of the Philippine Super Mango”, the survey showed that Pangasinan is totally free from mango pulp and seed weevils, as certified by mango scientist Dr. Hernani Golez, former BPI director. He issued a certification attesting that the 126,650 trees examined during the survey were free from the weevil.
The mango pulp weevil tunnels into the flesh of mangoes, making them unsuitable for human consumption. On the other hand, mango seed weevil, also known as mango stone weevil, degrades the quality of the pulp and juice.
To maintain the pest-free status of the province, the Pangasinan provincial board has passed a resolution ordering the establishment of checkpoints at the provincial boundaries in coordination with the BPI, municipal and barangay officials, and the Philippine National Police. At the same time, lawyer Cipriano Santiago, DA Region 1 regional executive director, urged that a massive information campaign be immediately undertaken.
In a related development, the DA regional office has predicted a downfall in the total mango production in the Ilocos Region this year by 30 percent due to the unexpected rains during the past months. Many trees were at the peak flowering stage when a series of heavy downpour occurred, resulting in the shedding off of the flowers and retarded growth of the fruits.
Dr. Paz Mones, DA Region 1 assistant regional director, said the region may experience a production downfall amounting to about 306,000 metric tons.
