BACOLOD CITY – The national government has approved the PHP10 million budget requested by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to contain the spread of red-striped soft-scale insects (RSSI) that have infested sugarcane fields across the Visayas.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed that the budget, approved last month, is now being used by the SRA for pesticide procurement.
During a visit to a sugarcane plantation in Negros Occidental on Thursday, Laurel observed how the Department of Agriculture’s disinfection unit can assist in speeding up pesticide application.
As of June 5, RSSI infestations have affected 546.10 hectares of sugarcane fields and impacted 294 farmers across 46 barangays, according to SRA data.
Thirteen local government units in Negros Occidental, and one town each in Negros Oriental, Capiz, and Iloilo, have reported infestations.
Affected areas in Negros Occidental include the towns of La Castellana, Murcia, E.B. Magalona, Manapla, Toboso, and Calatrava, and the cities of La Carlota, Bago, Bacolod, Silay, Victorias, Cadiz, and Sagay.
Mabinay in Negros Oriental, and Anilao and Sigma in Capiz and Iloilo, respectively, are also affected, based on SRA reports.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona earlier wrote to Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to report the issue, warning that if not contained, the pest could threaten overall crop yields and endanger the sugar industry, which plays a vital role in the local economy.
Despite last year’s dry spell, Azcona noted that Negros Occidental recorded a strong sugar output this year.
With the infestation reaching what the SRA described as an “alarming” level, the agency has requested emergency powers and support from various government agencies to stop the spread of RSSI across Negros Island.
Negros Island accounts for more than 60 percent of the country’s sugar production.
The Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Plant Industry are currently verifying affected farms ahead of pesticide spraying operations.
Laurel stressed the importance of regulating the transport of planting materials.
“This is not allowed without permits. We’re trying to crack down on it,” he said.
Personnel from the DA’s intelligence and enforcement units are investigating the source of the infected cane points.
Laurel also met with SRA officials and local farmers to assess additional support the government can provide to combat the infestation. (Glazyl Jopson via tdg)