The Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) urged farmers to prepare for possible pest infestations in the first quarter of 2026, citing historical data that point to widespread risks across rice-producing regions.
Data from 2021 to 2025 compiled by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) identified brown planthoppers (BPH), rice stemborers, rodents, bacterial leaf blight (BLB), and leaffolders as the top threats to rice crops. Central Luzon is projected to be the most vulnerable, with nearly all provinces expected to face multiple pest pressures, while the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas are also at high risk.
BPH infestations, which cause hopperburn or brown patches on dried plants, are expected in Central Luzon, the Cordillera Administrative Region, and Eastern Visayas. Farmers are advised to practice synchronous planting, plant resistant varieties, avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, practice alternate wetting and drying (AWD) technology, and avoid early insecticide spraying to enhance the population of biological control agents.
Alongside this, rice stemborers are projected to heavily affect Bicol, Central Luzon, and Northern Mindanao. These pests cause deadheart and whiteheads, and experts recommend thorough land preparation, handpicking egg masses, and releasing biological control agents.
Rodent infestations remain a serious concern, with populations capable of consuming up to 12% of their body weight daily and damaging as much as 300 tillers per night. Yield losses may range from 5% to 90% with Eastern Visayas, Central Luzon, and Bicol expected to experience high infestations.
“We emphasize that farmers follow the right timing for rat hunting, which was during the start of the pest’s breeding season or one month after crop establishment, proper burrow management, and safe-bait handling approach to reduce damage and yield loss,” PhilRice crop protection expert Leonardo V. Marquez said.
BLB, which results in wilting, yellowing, and drying of leaves, is also projected to spread in Central Luzon and Bicol. To mitigate its impact, farmers are urged to use resistant varieties, minimize transplanting injuries, avoid excessive nitrogen use, and maintain field sanitation.
Meanwhile, leaffolders, which fold rice leaves and feed inside, are expected to affect Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, and the Davao Region. PhilRice advises removing grassy weeds, avoiding shaded planting areas, use of biological control agents, and applying insecticides judiciously to prevent outbreaks.
Marquez stressed that farmers can prevent severe losses by adopting resistant varieties, practicing synchronous planting, applying balanced fertilization, protecting beneficial insects, keeping fields clean, and monitoring regularly for early signs of pest outbreaks.
