ORDINANCE NO: 2017-374 (Author: Honorable Troy B. Asugas) "AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY AGRICULTURE OFFICE TO CREATE A TASK FORCE/INSECT CONTROL ACTION TEAM TO BE ON DUTY FOR 24 HOURS IN ALL CHECKPOINTS AT EVERY POINT OF ENTRY WITHIN THE CITY TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES IN THE CONTROL AND ERADICATION OF COCONUT SCALE INSECTS KNOWN AS "COCOLISAP'' WHEREAS, the Local Government Code of 1991 mandates that all government units should promote the general welfare of its inhabitants, provide basic services and enact ordinances that will ensure the effective and efficient delivery of services; WHEREAS, the Local Government Code of 1991 further mandates that Local Government Units should share with its constituents, the responsibility of managing and maintaining the ecological balance of their environment within their localities; WHEREAS, in order to promote the development of coconut and other palm oil products that will ensure that the coconut farmers will be the direct participants and beneficiaries of the coconut production, Presidential Decree No. 961 was promulgated to provide such a productive opportunity to enhance livelihood; WHEREAS, in view of alarming reports on the existence of an invasive species of coconut scale insects called "cocolisap", which destructively infests bearing and non-bearing coconut trees, damaging its leaves, fruits, stalks and branches and multiplies rapidly especially during the dry season, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Zamboanga del Sur passed a Resolution No. 2016-161, enjoining all municipalities devastated by "cocolisap" to impose severe measures that will not only control but completely eradicate the infestation of "cocolisap''; WHEREAS, based on various reports and the Rapid Growth Assessment conducted by the Philippine Coconut Authority through its PCA Provincial Office, the municipalities of Aurora, Josefina, Midsalip, Molave, Bayog, Dinas, Kumalarang, Lapuyan, Margosatubig, San Miguel, Tabina, Vincenzo Sagun, and even Pagadian City are affected; WHEREAS, the threat of massive devastation by ''cocolisap'' infestation needs to be urgently addressed and given priority in the implementation of preventive and protective measures; NOW THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (12th City Council) in session assembled that: Section 1. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared that the policy of the City of Pagadian is to provide opportunities for the benefit of its constituents especially the farmers by giving their livelihood proper protection from any untoward incidents or devastation. Section 2. Authorization of Proper Agency. The Honorable City Mayor, in his capacity as Chairman of the City Development Council, hereby authorizes the City Agriculturist to create a task force to serve as Insect Control Teams that shall be on duty to undertake the function of checking on a 24-hour basis in all points of entry to the city all planting materials and its accompanying documents for all shipments coming into or passing through the city from any individual, company or government agency and determine that shipment or the source thereof is free from contamination of Aspidiolus Destructor Signorel coconut scale insects more commonly known as "cocolisap". Section 3. Definitions of Terms. Coconut scale insects are small insects which are plant parasites which are known as "cocolisap" with the scientific name of Aspidiolus Destructor Signorel. These insect pests cause yellowing or chlorosis, wilting, premature nutfall and low yield because it continuously siphons the plant sap with their specialized mouth parts. Thick, sooty molds grow on the honey-dew excreted by these insects preventing photosynthesis. Scale insects usually devastate coconut nurseries especially young palms. Point of Entry means a passage for international entry or exit of travellers, baggage, cargo, containers, conveyances, goods and postal parcels. Quarantine means a state, period or place of isolation in which people or animals or plants that have arrived from elsewhere that have been determined to be exposed to infectious or contagious disease are placed. Section 4. Lead Agency. The Office of the City Agriculturist shall assign personnel to be among the composite members of the Task Force/Insect Control Team which, when divided into units, will serve round-the-clock in designated checkpoints at all identified points of entry to the city to oversee and monitor the entry, exit or passing through of the following: coconut planting materials of all kinds, coconut leaves, young coconuts and other raw or unprocessed/untreated coconut products and determine that the same are free from the cocolisap virus. Section 5. Monitoring and Inspection; Responsibility of Transporters/Shippers. All individuals, companies, government agencies, including universities and colleges and other institutions transporting coconut products shall dutifully submit and voluntarily present documents as may be required by the Office of the City Agriculturist through the Task Force to ensure the safety of the products transported, such as but not limited to: a) Application form for inspection; b) Import Permit issued by the Department of Agriculture; Section 7. Duration. The implementation of this Ordinance shall remain in effect until such time that the City of Pagadian shall be certified by the Philippine Coconut Authority and/or the Department of Agriculture to be free from "cocolisap" infestation. Section 8. Composition of the Task Force. The task force shall necessarily be composed of personnel from the Office of the City Agriculturist, the Philippine Coconut Authority, and the Philippine National Police, among others. Section 9. Effectivity. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its approval. ENACTED AND APPROVED by the 12th City Council of Pagadian City during its 38th Regular Session held on 23 May 2017 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall, Pagadian City.