By CESAR JOLITO III
Amid the growing threat of the red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) in sugarcane farms across the Visayas, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) remains hopeful that the infestation will not drastically affect the country’s sugar output this year.
“Hopefully, it won’t, but I can’t say for certain,” SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said, emphasizing the importance of early detection in mitigating the impact of the pest.
Despite the challenges, Azcona noted that sugarcane crops are currently in good condition, and no significant drop in production is anticipated yet.
“We feel that we can’t totally eliminate RSSI,” he admitted, “but through farmer education and awareness, we’re learning to control and live with it gradually.”
“Once you notice wilting, uproot the cane and check — it’s likely you’ll find the insect there,” he advised farmers.
The SRA continues to monitor the situation closely as sugar milling season approaches, with hopes that proactive measures and heightened farmer engagement will prevent further damage.
Azcona also highlighted that the SRA is actively working to protect key production zones — particularly in Mindanao, where production has surged.
“Actually, we’ve been trying to protect Bukidnon. If you look at our production numbers, the biggest growth is really there,” Azcona said.
According to SRA, sugar production in Mindanao increased by 103,000 metric tons this year, with 97,000 metric tons coming from Bukidnon alone.
Meanwhile, Negros Island, the country’s top sugar-producing region, only posted a slight rise of 2,000 metric tons.
Azcona said that 2,027 hectares across the Visayas are currently infested by RSSI, affecting 1,097 farmers in 82 barangays.
Most of the infestations are recorded in 10 towns of Negros Occidental, with isolated cases also detected in Negros Oriental, Iloilo and Capiz.
“We’re hoping it will not spread any further. The biggest areas affected before were Bago City and La Carlota City. Gradually, the situation is improving,” Azcona said.
“In Negros Oriental, it’s only in Mabinay. In Negros Occidental, it has not gone down to Kabankalan. It’s not here yet,” the SRA administrator said.
The SRA earlier said more than 200 hectares of sugarcane fields have already shown signs of recovery.
Azcona said the agency also requested support from the Negros Occidental provincial government, urging a declaration of a state of emergency or urgency to fast-track the purchase and distribution of insecticides and pesticides to contain the spread.
Although the infestation has now affected 2,027.79 hectares of sugarcane plantations — with 1,980.44 hectares in Negros Occidental — no local government unit in the province has declared a state of calamity so far, the Department of Agriculture in Negros Island Region said.
According to the SRA, if left undetected and unmanaged, the RSSI can spread rapidly from one field to another, causing severe crop damage and potential economic loss for farmers.
The pests could reduce sugar yields by up to 50 percent, based on studies from the University of the Philippines.
RSSI was first detected in northern Negros Occidental at the end of March and was officially declared an infestation on May 22./CJ, WDJ