The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 8 (DA-8), through its Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC), recently provided Biological Control Agents (BCAs) to the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Palompon, Leyte as part of efforts to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly pest management practices.

The distribution, conducted on April 14–15, 2026, included earwigs, Trichogramma chilonis, Trichogramma evanescens, Metarhizium anisopliae, and wood vinegar, which serve as natural pest control agents. These were deployed in demonstration farms in Sitio Kamalig, Barangay Taberna, and at the municipal nursery in Barangay Central II.

The BCAs are intended to help suppress key corn pests such as fall armyworm and corn borers, as well as fruit borers and earworms that commonly affect vegetables. By using these nature-based solutions, the initiative aims to reduce farmers’ reliance on chemical pesticides while safeguarding crop productivity and environmental health.

As part of the activity, the RCPC team conducted on-site demonstrations on the proper release of earwigs and Trichogramma species in corn fields and briefed local agricultural technicians on the different BCAs and services offered by the center. A hands-on demonstration on the rearing and mass production of predatory earwigs was also held at the municipal nursery to ensure the sustainability of the program in the area.

The initiative underscores the Department of Agriculture’s continuing commitment to advancing climate-resilient and environmentally sound farming practices. By promoting the use of biological control agents, DA-8 aims to empower farmers with sustainable pest management solutions that protect crops, reduce production costs, and preserve the health of both the environment and farming communities.