Iloilo: The Iloilo provincial government is now in a disaster mode due to the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation, which has affected 7,021 of the 20,749.88 hectares planted with sugarcane. In a press conference on Wednesday, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said RSSI is a new problem, similar to African swine fever. Since it is new, there are no 'protocols or institutionalized biosecurity measures.' 'It is alarming; that is why we are now in disaster mode,' he said. He said the provincial agriculture office has already completed a protocol, and he will be releasing an executive order.
According to Philippines News Agency, Defensor stated that per the agreement during their provincial community defense action cluster meeting, they will regulate the movement of planting materials since they already have a zoning map. They already know where and how much was infected. 'We will formulate protocols and implement biosecurity measures for RSSI, and we will see what assistance we can give to the industry. Again, we are moving into disaster mode,' he said. Defensor said that in disaster mode, they have to act as fast as they can.
Data showed that the top five most affected municipalities are Batad, Carles, Banate, Dingle, and Anilao. The other affected towns are Lambunao, Pototan, San Dionisio, San Enrique, San Rafael, Sara, Balasan, Bingawan, Estancia, and Passi City. The governor said they will explore the possibility of extending aid to the affected farmers, including working with the Department of Social Welfare and Development for assistance to individuals in crisis situations.
In a previous interview, Officer-in-Charge Provincial Agriculturist Geron Magbanua said that the pest spreads easily and reproduces rapidly, with a single life cycle producing more than 300 eggs. The infestation also accelerates during the dry season. Meanwhile, Capiz has been placed under a state of calamity due to the RSSI infestation, according to the Capiz provincial government report released late Monday.
Data from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist showed that 3,331.61 hectares of sugarcane land areas were infested as of Aug. 10, affecting 1,819 sugarcane planters from the towns of Cuartero, Dao, Dumalag, Dumarao, Jamindan, Maayon, Panitan, Pilar, Pontevedra, President Roxas, and Sigma.
