Bacolod: The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is strictly implementing guidelines requiring permits for the transport of sugarcane plants or planting materials to curb the spread of the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI).
According to Philippines News Agency, the office of Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona has confirmed that the SRA is closely coordinating with the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) quarantine services unit to enforce this requirement.
Applications for transport permits are currently being received, with some already declined. A shipment heading to Mindanao was intercepted as part of these efforts. The SRA has deployed quarantine personnel to assist in these measures. Memorandum Circular 9, series of 2025, released earlier this month, outlines the guidelines of Sugar Order 6, which prohibits the transport of sugarcane plants or planting materials from areas under quarantine due to pest infestations or destructive diseases.
The directive specifies that no sugarcane plants or planting materials can be transported from quarantined barangays, municipalities, or provinces without a permit issued by the SRA. Transport is only permitted after preventive measures, such as washing and spraying with appropriate chemicals, are undertaken. Applications and required documents can be submitted online or via email to the SRA.
The SRA, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, BPI, and other relevant government agencies, emphasized the importance of establishing and enforcing effective bio-security measures. This is particularly critical as there is a need for new, resilient sugarcane varieties. The RSSI significantly reduces sugar content in sugarcane by approximately 50 percent, posing a severe threat to the sugar industry in regions like Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Panay, and potentially the entire country if not contained.
Latest data from SRA-Visayas show that the infestation has affected 3,656.69 hectares of sugarcane areas. In Negros Occidental alone, 3,509.83 hectares across 24 cities and municipalities have been infested, impacting 1,913 farmers in 162 barangays.
