Bacolod: Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has announced the approval of PHP10-million worth of pesticide assistance from the national government to tackle the infestation of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) primarily affecting Negros Island. The announcement was made during the launch of the PHP20 per kilo rice program, 'Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na'.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has already procured the necessary pesticide with the allocated budget. Tiu Laurel emphasized the DA's commitment to providing additional support to the SRA and Negros farmers as needed. He is actively monitoring the affected sugarcane farms in Negros Occidental and ensuring strict enforcement of quarantine measures for transporting sugarcane planting materials. The DA's intelligence and enforcement teams are investigating the source of the infected cane points.
The RSSI, initially reported in Luzon in 2022 and contained by the SRA and DA in 2024, resurfaced in Negros Island last March. SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona highlighted the urgency of addressing the infestation in Negros Occidental to prevent a potential sugar supply shortage. With approximately 250,000 hectares dedicated to sugarcane farming and nearly 500 hectares already infected, there is a risk of a 50 percent reduction in sugar production if the infestation is not controlled.
Azcona expressed hope for containment, noting that the nearing end of the milling season has reduced the movement of cane, simplifying control efforts. SRA data indicates that at least 13 cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental are affected by RSSI. The pest was first detected in northern Negros at the end of March, with the infestation declared on May 22 after spreading to over 87 hectares. By June 2, the infested area had expanded to 546.10 hectares.
Earlier this week, a team from the DA's Bureau of Plant Industry National Plant Quarantine Services Division, alongside SRA and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist personnel, commenced field validation in northern Negros, which has the highest RSSI infestation on the island.
