Up to 1,500 hectares of cornfields in Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur faces a growing infestation of Fall armyworms, locally known as 'harabas,' causing significant damage to the harvest.

Benjamin Tabur, a farmer leader from the Lussoc Farmer's Association, explained that the pests initially attack the maize when it is still small until the corn matures. The worms suck the nutrients from the corn, resulting in damaged kernels and stunted growth.

"Kasi nung maliit pa [yung mais] nandyan na sila hangga't hindi sila namamatay, and then tuluy-tuloy ng pagsisipsip nitong nutrients nitong mais, ngayon nung nagka-bunga na siya [sira-sira] kaya ito ang dahilan," Tabur says.

The infestation slows down the growth of the crops and affects their overall quality.

Tabur said that once the Fall Armyworms infest a crop, losses are almost certain. 

"Pagtinamaan ka ng fall armyworm sigurado [one] hundred percent ang losses na yan," he said.

Farmers have been resorting to spraying insecticides to control the infestation, but the pests seem to multiply rapidly.

"Pag mayroon ka nang makita dyan kailangan spray ka na agad para hindi masyadong lumala kasi mabilis [sila magpadami] mga isa dalawang araw lang yan talagang grabe na," Tabur added.

The local agricultural office recommended the distribution of corn varieties resistant to Fall Armyworms.

"So ito yung advantage ng bagong technology na mayroong resistant na varieties ng corn. So yan ang nire-recommend natin para bilhin ng provincial government since ang karamihan ng seeds ay nanggagaling sa provincial government," Randy Reburon, the Municipal Agriculturist of Sto. Domingo, said.