By CESAR JOLITO III
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has reported an estimated P1.2 billion in losses to the sugar industry in the Visayas, including Negros Island, following the widespread destruction brought by Typhoon “Tino.”
According to the SRA, “Tino” devastated more than 53,000 hectares of sugarcane fields across the mill districts of Negros Island, Capiz, Iloilo, Leyte, and Cebu, affecting over 16,000 sugar farmers.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said the initial assessment was completed only after the agency’s facilities and personnel regained operational capacity following the typhoon’s onslaught.
The SRA has now deployed teams to continue field evaluations, including areas also hit by Typhoon “Uwan,” to determine the full extent of damage.
“We have seen entire fields decimated by ‘Tino,’ especially in the 4th and 5th districts of Negros Occidental, where harvestable canes were flattened and submerged,” Azcona said.
“We can only hope these fields will recover,” he added.
Azcona noted that “Tino” was “one of the strongest storms” that brought the “heaviest flooding in two decades,” compounding existing challenges such as the industry’s struggle with the infestation of red-striped soft scale insects.
“‘Tino’ also flooded areas that have never been flooded in history,” he said, attributing the unusual water surge partly to continuous ashfall from Kanlaon Volcano, which clogged rivers and drainage systems with ash and lahar.
Mills temporarily shut down
Azcona confirmed that at least four sugar mills were forced to suspend operations for nearly a week due to storm-related damage.
Among them were mills in Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City and Binalbagan town, which had to temporarily shut down before resuming operations.
The preliminary report identified the Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Company (Biscom) mill
district — covering Himamaylan City and the towns of Isabela, Binalbagan, Hinigaran, and Moises Padilla — as the most severely affected, with more than 20,000 hectares of sugar plantations heavily damaged.
Other areas with significant losses include the La Carlota mill district (more than 10,000 hectares); San Carlos mill district, including Negros Oriental’s Canlaon City; Sagay – Danao district; and Ma-ao district.
Combined, these areas represent a large portion of Central Negros, the country’s sugar-producing heartland.
Initial estimates indicate a drop of at least 500,000 bags of raw sugar, excluding potential declines in molasses production — figures expected to rise once full assessments are completed.
SRA begins fertilizer procurement for farmers
To aid recovery efforts, Azcona said the SRA has begun procuring fertilizers for distribution to affected farmers through mill districts and sugar associations.
The agency is also coordinating with local government units and stakeholders to support rehabilitation efforts.
Despite the heavy losses, Azcona expressed optimism: “There is no better time than now for all stakeholders to come together to ensure no one is left behind. We must remain steadfast as a united sugar industry.”
Full damage assessments are expected in the coming weeks as SRA field personnel continue inspections across typhoon-hit regions./CJ, WDJ