The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has declared the spread of the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) in Negros Island “alarming,” prompting the agency to seek emergency powers and the assistance of other government bodies to contain the pest.
“Given the rate of spread, this is an emergency,” SRA Deputy Administrator Ignacio Santillana said.
The SRA suspects the infestation may be more widespread than reported, due to limited manpower to verify field reports.
Thirteen towns and cities in Negros Occidental have reported RSSI infestations, with additional sightings in Negros Oriental’s Mabinay town.
Santillana highlighted the need for an emergency policy to fast-track the procurement and distribution of pesticides.
He said the SRA currently aims to allocate P1.5 million for pesticide purchases but is constrained by existing procurement regulations imposed by the Commission on Audit.
Santillana urged farms not yet affected to begin preventive pesticide spraying.
He also thanked the Bureau of Plant and Industry (BPI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) for their commitment to start spraying infested fields this week ahead of a public forum scheduled for June 9 to educate farmers on mitigation strategies.
According to SRA’s research center, RSSI causes significant damage to sugarcane, with high temperatures accelerating its population growth.
Meanwhile, SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona emphasized the urgency of controlling the movement of sugarcane and planting materials, noting that RSSI was first observed in Luzon in 2022 and contained there by 2024.
Azcona expressed concern over how RSSI was introduced to Negros, a critical sugar-producing region, and requested that no planting materials be allowed entry without certification from the SRA or DA.
He stressed the importance of BPI’s role in preventing the transport of infected planting materials between islands and affected areas to avoid further spread.
Negros Island, which produces over 60 percent of the country’s sugar, is facing a rapidly escalating threat that has already affected hundreds of hectares of sugarcane fields.
RSSI was first detected in northern Negros Occidental at the end of March and was officially declared an infestation on May 22, when it had spread to over 87 hectares.
The infestation then nearly doubled to 191 hectares by May 26 and reached 255 hectares by May 28.
The latest SRA report on May 30 revealed a staggering increase to 424.82 hectares — almost quadrupling in just eight days.
Guidance
The Negros Occidental Office of the Provincial Agriculturist plans to seek guidance from Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to establish a coordinated government response against RSSI.
Coordination efforts will focus on the Victorias Milling District, which includes the cities of Victorias and Cadiz, as well as Manapla town — areas accounting for nearly half of the infestation at 219 hectares.
In response to this rapid spread, the SRA has called on the DA, affected local government units, and BPI to implement strict quarantine measures.
The absence of clear policies has hampered quarantine enforcement.
BPI officials admitted they were unable to stop a recent shipment of planting materials from Negros Occidental’s Escalante City to Panay Island due to lack of regulatory authority.
Until further studies provide detailed protocols, SRA recommends farmers avoid purchasing cane points from infested areas and soak planting materials in pesticides before planting.
The agency is also investigating natural predators of RSSI as a potential sustainable control method to reduce reliance on costly pesticides.
SRA has formally requested P10 million in emergency funding from the DA, a request welcomed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel.
Additionally, the agency is exploring the use of drones for pesticide application, which could cover up to 50 hectares per day and effectively target the underside of sugarcane leaves where RSSI thrives.
Azcona expressed willingness to partner with the private sector to deploy drone technology as part of the containment effort./JB, WDJ