BACOLOD CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) has released PHP 161,714,250 in Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) assistance to qualified beneficiaries affected by the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation across the region.
As of Aug. 21, 43 local government units (LGUs) were covered by the assistance program for 162,674 RSSI-affected individuals, including 71,811 sugarcane farmers and 90,863 sugarcane laborers.
The LGUs include 28 in Negros Occidental and 15 in Negros Oriental.
Each recipient in Negros Occidental receives PHP 10,325, while each beneficiary in Negros Oriental receives PHP 10,125.
DSWD personnel also conduct door-to-door and hospital-based delivery of assistance, enabling beneficiaries to receive aid without personally going to payout centers.
The DSWD-NIR continues to release assistance to beneficiaries in other affected LGUs.
Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental have been placed under states of calamity because of the RSSI infestation, which has affected large areas of sugarcane plantations on Negros Island.
The Department of Agriculture and Sugar Regulatory Administration have also intensified measures against the pest, including chemical spraying and biological controls, as the infestation threatens sugarcane production in the Negros Island Region.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Biosecurity Task Force for Agriculture against RSSI conducted roadside Biocon spraying activities in Barangays Robles and Camandag in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, on Aug. 20, covering 154.8 hectares of agricultural areas.
A total of 148 farmers benefited from the activity, which covered 4,549.86 linear meters and used 17.5 liters of PSR Premix.
In Barangay Robles, the activity benefited 121 farmers and covered 124.8 hectares.
In Barangay Camandag, 27 farmers benefited from spraying activities covering 30 hectares.
The activity is part of the provincial government’s continuing efforts to strengthen agricultural biosecurity and protect crops and farming communities. (Glazyl M. Jopson via tdg photo by tdg)