By CESAR JOLITO III
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has officially started the procurement process for pesticides to combat red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI), a fast-spreading pest that has already damaged over 3,000 hectares of sugarcane plantations across the Visayas.
In a statement released on Tuesday, August 5, SRA Board Member and RSSI Task Force head Dave Sanson said the agency is finalizing the required documents and technical specifications to proceed with the purchase of pesticides.
The chemicals will be distributed free of charge to affected farmers to control the infestation.
“SRA has started the procurement process and is just completing the necessary documents and the right specifications to immediately procure the pesticides for distribution to our farmers,” Sanson said.
The move follows SRA’s formal request to the Negros Occidental provincial government to declare a state of calamity, which would allow the agency to conduct an emergency purchase.
The Provincial Capitol acted promptly on the request to expedite procurement and support mitigation efforts.
According to the latest SRA report, as of August 1, 3,284.80 hectares of sugarcane fields across five Visayan provinces have been affected by RSSI.
Of these, Negros Occidental remains the hardest hit, with 3,184 hectares impacted, affecting 1,754 farmers across 144 barangays in 23 localities.
Negros Occidental is one of the country’s leading sugar-producing provinces, making pest infestations a critical threat to the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and workers dependent on the industry.
The pest has also spread to other provinces: Iloilo — 59.69 hectares affected, Capiz — 24.6 hectares, Leyte — 12.17 hectares, and Negros Oriental — 3.95 hectares.
In total, 1,831 farmers in 176 barangays across 36 towns and cities have been affected by the outbreak.
Based on studies, RSSI can reduce the sugar content of affected crops by as much as 50 percent, resulting in significant production and income losses.
RSSI was first detected in northern Negros Occidental at the end of March and was officially declared an infestation on May 22./CJ, WDJ