Philippines

Farmers Ask Gods to Remove Pests
Associated Press, April 7, 2000

Philippine Farmers, desperate to stop the spread of the disastrous leaf miner worm, have turned to the gods to help them get rid of the pests. The farmers, in the large vegetable-producing town of Buguias, performed the "padke" ritual, during which they slaughter a black pig and study its liver for omens. The leaf miners, which burrow into plants to make them wilt, have hit potato, lettuce, celery, cabbage and leek farms, according to municipal agriculturist Cirpriano Bayangan. The worms first appeared in September, and pesticides have not had any effect on the damage. Buguias mayor Dominador Bay-an approved the ritual but added that, "Ultimately we have to think of other measures to arrest the problem." Buguias was declared to be in a state of calamity, allowing it to receive emergency funding and provisions.