Bacolod City: The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has assured continuous and close monitoring efforts to contain the red-striped soft-scale insect (RSSI) infestation that has affected sugarcane crops in Negros Occidental. This pest was first reported in Luzon in 2023 and threatens to decrease sugar content by nearly 50 percent.

According to Philippines News Agency, SRA Administrator Luis Pablo Azcona highlighted the Department of Agriculture's (DA) supportive role in addressing the situation. He mentioned that there have been collaborative measures with the DA-Negros Island Region (DA-NIR), allowing for a swift response to the outbreak. Despite these efforts, Azcona noted the challenges of containment during the ongoing harvest season, with sugarcane, trucks, and workers moving frequently between regions.

As of late May, the SRA reported that 186.03 hectares have been affected by the RSSI infestation in various areas of Negros Occidental, including La Castellana, La Carlota, and Bacolod City, among others. Of these, 96.21 hectares are experiencing an 'extremely mild' level of infestation, impacting around 115 sugar farmers.

The Department of Agriculture has committed to providing interventions, such as distributing pesticides, enforcing strict quarantine and transport protocols, and deploying tankers for disinfection purposes. Meanwhile, the SRA is collaborating with the National Crop Protection Center and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority to potentially issue an emergency use permit for insecticides following a second trial.