WHEREAS, the Mango Pulp Weevil (Sternochetus frigidus) and Mango Seed Wee-vil (Sternochetus mangiferae) are injurious pests of mango fruits and detrimental to the export of the commodity;

WHEREAS, based on surveys conducted from March 2007 to February 2008 under BPI AusAid Project entitled "Improving the Mango Industry Sustainability and Small-the B " me Generation in the Philippines through Expansion of Area Freedom Certification Against Mango Pulp and Seed Weevils", it was found out that the Province of Sarangani, and city of General Santos, Mindanao, Philippines is absolutely free from both Mango Weevil and Mango Seed Weevil. The survey was conducted on 10,600 mango trees from eight (8) municipalities, A total of 84,800 fruits of various varieties were collected and examined.

WHEREAS, the absence of both pests can result to expansion of mango export k jf to countries which requires area freedom from these weevils.

WHEREAS, the improvement of the socio-economic status of mango stakeholders an be achieved through income derived from the domestic and export sales of quality mango fruits;

WHEREAS, after the said survey, checkpoints around the periphery or boundaries of Sarangani and General Santos have been established in order to maintain its status as area free from the two abovementioned pests;

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me as the Director of the Bureau of Plant Industry by PD 1433 otherwise known as the Plant Quarantine Decree of 1978, this Special Quarantine Order is hereby promulgated as follows:

SECTION 1. The Province of Sarangani and City of General Santos in Mindanao is hereby officially declared as area free from and clear of the Mango Pulp Weevil (Sternochetus frigidus) and Mango Seed Weevil (Sternochetus mangiferae).

SECTION 2. The movement, transfer and carrying of mango planting materials, fruits or parts thereof into the Province of Sarangani and City of General Santos is hereby prohibited. Provided, however, the movement, transfer and carrying of the said mango planting materials, fruits or parts thereof may be allowed in limited quantity and for experimental purposes only, subject to the condition that a permit for such purpose is first secured from the Director of the Bureau of Plant Industry or his/her duly authorized representative.

SECTION 3. In order to carry out effective plant quarantine measures, the Director of the Bureau of Plant Industry, in accordance with Section 16 of PD 1433, may request the national, provincial, municipal and barangay officials and members of the Armed Forces in oarangani Province and General Santos City to assist in the implementation/enforcement fsuch measures to maintain the area freedom status of the province of Sarangani and 'ty of Genera! Santos from the aforementioned pests.

SECTION 4. All companies engaged in land, waterand air transportation shall not 'Por carry mango planting materials, fruits or parts thereof into the Province of Sarangani dCity of General Santos except for those covered by section 2 of this Order.

SECTION 5. Any person who violates the provisions of this Order or forges, counter-s. alters, defaces and destroys any document issued by virtue hereof shall suffer the cities provided for under Section 23 of PD 1433 consisting, inter alia, of a fine of not more than Php 20,000.00 or imprisonment from prision correccional to prision mayor, Or both at the discretion of the Court.

SECTION 6. This Order supersedes and revokes orders or other issuances contrarv to or inconsistent herewith and shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the publication as required bylaw.

Adopted: 31 July 2008

(SGD.) JOEL S. RUDINAS, CESO IV
Director

Approved:

(SGD.) ARTHUR C. YAP
Secretary Department of Agriculture