The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) on Wednesday, July 1, hailed the unified response of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental to the worsening red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation, as both provinces moved to strengthen emergency measures against the invasive sugarcane pest.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona thanked Governors Eugenio Jose Lacson of Negros Occidental and Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria of Negros Oriental for backing the agency’s campaign to contain the infestation.
“We are thankful to both governors and glad for their support. This will strengthen collaboration to ensure a cohesive and concerted action island-wide,” Azcona said in a statement.
The coordinated effort comes as Negros, which produces more than 60 percent of the country’s sugar output, faces a growing threat from RSSI.
Studies cited by the SRA show that the pest can reduce the sugar content of infested canes by up to 50 percent.
SRA-Visayas validated data as of June 26 showed the Negros Island Region (NIR) remains the hardest hit, with 14,447.83 hectares of affected sugarcane farms in Negros Occidental and 1,571.33 hectares in Negros Oriental.
In Negros Occidental, the Provincial Board on Tuesday, June 30, declared a state of calamity following the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), chaired by Lacson.
The declaration will enable the provincial government to immediately tap available funds for emergency response, containment, rehabilitation, and recovery measures against RSSI.
“That is serious. Our crop production will go down, on top of low (millgate) prices,” Lacson said in a media interview.
The PDRRMC cited reports from the SRA and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist showing that, as of June 23, about 61,242 hectares, or 32.18 percent of the province’s 190,314 hectares of sugarcane plantations, had already been affected by the infestation.
The council warned that the outbreak poses a serious threat to the province’s sugar industry, agricultural economy, and the livelihood of thousands of sugarcane farmers, farm workers, and other stakeholders. If left unchecked, it said, the infestation could lead to severe economic losses, disrupt agricultural activities, reduce farmers’ income, and adversely affect the local economy.
Meanwhile, Sagarbarria said that Bais City and Mabinay, two of the most heavily affected localities on the Oriental side, are also expected to declare a state of calamity.
He also committed to creating an anti-RSSI task force and releasing P15 million to bolster the province’s immediate response to the infestation.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.