Bongabon kicks off Layas Harabas, Ligtas Sibuyas caravan

The town of Bongabon has kicked off the Information and Technology Caravan on the Prevention, Control, and Management of Armyworms at Barangay Lusok on 3 November 2025.

With the theme Layas Harabas, Ligtas Sibuyas, the Provincial Government led the kick off with the installation of pheromone lures. The said program will be implemented on all 18 onion-producing towns of Nueva Ecija.

Acting Provincial Agriculturist Doc Joebeat Agliam said that the program aims to broaden the knowledge of onion farmers on proper management against armyworm infestation to ensure a safer, healthier, and robust production of onion in the whole province.

Provincial Administrator Atty. Jose Maria San Pedro, Board Member Belinda Palilio, Bongabon Mayor Ricardo Padilla and the Sangguniang Bayan, officials from the DA Region 3 led by Dr. Analou Morelos, and ENVIRO SCOPE Synergy, Inc. representative Joelito Motin, accompanied Agliam at the event.

The event also held the awarding of Pheromone Lures and Onion Seeds to the onion farmers of Bongabon.

According to onion farmer Marcos Galang, whose farm was installed with pheromone lures, he used these devices before was ineffective since he was the only one who installed it in his farm.

A Technical Briefing and Forum was held at the Municipal Multi-Purpose building along with other farmer cooperatives and associations, as well as barangay officials.

Armyworm infestations have been recently reported in several municipalities of Nueva Ecija, affecting onion and corn crops, among others. The Department of Agriculture (DA) and other agencies have provided assistance and promoted integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to manage outbreaks.

In January 2024, the DA addressed infestations in these areas, primarily affecting onion crops. Bongabon, known as the “Onion Basket” of the Philippines, has been particularly vulnerable, with previous outbreaks recorded as far back as 2016.

Armyworms are the caterpillar-like larvae of moths. They are named for their destructive, “army-like” movement across fields, consuming most vegetation in their path.

The Spodoptera exigua, or beet armyworm, was identified as the species responsible for the major outbreak in 2016.

Onions and other vegetables are particularly susceptible, with armyworms capable of skeletonizing leaves and significantly reducing yields. Infestations can force early harvesting, affecting the quality and market value of the harvest.