BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 26 -- The Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13) is racing against time to contain the spread of the fungus Pestalotiopsis which causes the leaf fall disease in rubber farms, particularly in Agusan del Sur.

DA-13 said at least 1,765 hectares (ha) of rubber farms have been infected, affecting 1,120 farmers since Feb. 7.

"The LGUs (local government units) play a very important role in containing the disease, especially in terms of coming up with policies or ordinances," Rebecca Atega, DA-13 technical director for operations, said in a statement Monday.

Last week, DA-13, Philippine Rubber Research Institute and Bureau of Plant Industry started a series of technical briefings on Pestalotiopsis with farmer ...