Manila: The Negros Island Region has recorded the highest infestation of the red-striped soft scale insect in sugarcane farms among the Visayas regions, based on the latest report of the Sugar Regulatory Administration.
According to Philippines News Agency, a copy of the SRA report obtained on Monday showed that 11,461 sugarcane farmers in the NIR have been affected by the pest infestation. This was significantly higher than Western Visayas with 767 affected farmers, Eastern Visayas with 93, and Central Visayas with five.
The NIR has 239,215.62 hectares planted with sugarcane, of which 78,352 hectares have been reported affected by the RSSI. However, only 28,464.75 hectares in 423 barangays across the region have so far been validated.
Infestation in other regions includes 12,308 hectares in Western Visayas with 1,523.54 hectares validated; 1,800 hectares in Eastern Visayas with 592.50 hectares validated; and 320 hectares in Central Visayas with 10.30 hectares validated, the SRA report showed.
Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria said the provincial government is prepared to release PHP15 million from its Quick Response Fund to help contain the infestation through the procurement of systemic insecticides.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan last week declared the province under a state of calamity due to the widespread pest attack. "Now, we are free to use 30 percent of our Quick Response Fund to respond to the RSSI situation, including African Swine Fever if needed," Sagarbarria said during a press conference over the weekend.
He said the provincial government would provide the initial assistance, while succeeding interventions would come from the national government and local government units. "The RSSI is spreading rapidly, so the sooner we act, the better," he said.
Sagarbarria explained the insecticides to be procured are systemic chemicals that strengthen the sugarcane plants' resistance against the pest rather than directly killing the insects. He added that other mitigation measures, including aerial spraying using drones or aircraft, would be undertaken by the Department of Agriculture, as these are beyond the financial capability of the provincial government.
Meanwhile, affected sugarcane farmers will receive PHP10,000 in financial assistance each from the DA through the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the assistance during a meeting with local chief executives in Negros Occidental last week.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said the agency is pushing for a unified strategy between Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental to contain and eventually eradicate the RSSI infestation across the two provinces.
