Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw was invited as a plenary speaker for the 55th Anniversary and Annual Scientific Conference of the PMCP at Ritz Hotel, Davao from 4-7 July 2023. The conference inaugurated on 4th July with the Processional by Former PMCP Presidents, Entry of Society and PMCP Colours together with current Officers and Board Members (PAE, PPS, WSSP, CPAP, CropLife, PCAP, PMCP) followed by Doxology & Philippine National Anthem.
The opening address delivered by Mr. Narendra Sagrolikar, President, PMCP, followed by welcome messages by Dir. Julieta B. Lansangan, OIC-Executive Director, FPA and Dr. Karen A. Roscom, Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards.
There were seven plenary speakers and the session started with the presentation of Dr. Analiza Henedina M. Ramirez, Institute of Weed Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna. Dr. Jelfina presented on Challenges and Opportunities in Managing Coconut Pests for Market Sustainability. The session was moderated by Dr. Celia Medina. There was in-depth discussion after each session and queries were attended by the speakers. Dr. Jelfina assured the potential collaboration of ICC with PMCP for the sustainable development of the coconut sector. She said that we aware of the adverse and damaging impacts of pests and diseases on coconut production, market, the natural environment, and human health, and there are many factors contributing to pest outbreak. Research have been conducted with great results, but there also so many things we need to uncover. Lack of knowledge on complex interaction between pest, disease, bioagent the plant and environment. Limited technologies including resistant varieties to adopt long term management approach and limited knowledge on co-evolution between the pest, disease and the host plants considering coconut is a perennial crop. Lack of timely access to relevant and science-based advices on pest & disease management is also one of the challenges that need to be addressed.
ICC needs partners from universities and research institutes and pest management-related organizations to address pest-related issues and to generate feasible and affordable pest management technologies needed by farmers. Great progress in pest management have been documented. However, there are still a lot of works and research gaps in regard to pest risk analysis, holistic-based technology that need to be developed, and implementation of science-based technologies. She reiterated some important pests and diseases are still difficult to detect. We need feasible detection technology or tools for quarantine officers in airport or some other entry points. Hence, the formation of the International Network on Coconut Pest Management becomes imperative.
The Plenary session concluded with the presentation of Plaque of appreciation by the president of PMCP. Dr. Jelfina also presented the ICC Plaque of appreciation to Narendra Sagrolikar, President, PMCP. Dr. Mr. John A. Fajardo, PAE, President and Vice President of PMCP also joined while receiving the plaque.
The four days conference included the PMCP Fellowship Night Program: Society PROs Concurrent Scientific Sessions, Banquet and Award Ceremony and farmers’ forum. This conference was served as a platform for sharing the latest development and technologies and work conducted by the researchers in the field of plant protection and sharing their latest work and experience.
The conference was attended by the members of Philippine Association of Entomologists (PAE), Philippine Phytopathological Society (PPS), Weed Science Society of Philippines (WSSP), Crop Life Philippines (CLP), Crop Protection Association of the Philippines (CPAS) and Pest Control Association of the Philippines (PCAP). Ms. Mridula Kottekate Assistant Director, accompanied Executive Director for attending the conference.