Corn farmers in Barangay Macayug, Mangaldan, Pangasinan are facing losses after pests and heavy rains damaged their crops before harvest season.

Farmers started planting corn in August and expected to harvest in November, but the plants are already turning yellow and drying up due to an infestation of corn plant hoppers, locally called 'talakitik.'

“Didilaw na ang mais, matutuyo na, kasi sinisipsip na ’yung mais kahit walang bunga,” Alfredo Bautista, a farmer, said.

The Mangaldan Municipal Agriculture Office confirmed the outbreak and said it has been spraying pesticides to prevent further damage.

“Insekto ito, maliliit na insekto na sumisipsip doon sa mga mais mismo,” spokesperson Manuel Aquino said.

He added that the infestation is still under control.

“Manageable naman ’yan kung sa una pa lang ay napi-prevent na ang pagdami ng mga (corn plant hopper),” Aquino said.

Aside from pests, farmers also struggle with excessive rains that have drowned crops.

“Sobrang tubig kasi maulan, namatay na ang mga tanim,” Bautista said.

The agriculture office is now conducting validation to determine the extent of the damage and assured that assistance will be given to farmers affected by both the infestation and recent calamities.