By CESAR JOLITO III
The National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines – Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (Nacusip-TUCP) called on local government units in the Negros Island Region (NIR) to provide direct cash assistance and crop subsidies to farmers affected by the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation, while commending provincial leaders for their emergency response.
In a statement, Nacusip-TUCP said relief efforts should focus on immediately assisting small farmers, agrarian reform beneficiaries and farmworkers whose livelihoods have been severely affected by the pest infestation.
Nacusip-TUCP specifically lauded Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for placing the entire province under a state of calamity on June 30, saying the move enabled the provincial government to access its quick response fund and accelerate containment measures.
The group cited provincial data showing that about 61,242 hectares, or 32.18 percent of Negros Occidental’s 190,314.19 hectares of sugarcane plantations, have been affected by RSSI.
It also recognized Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria and the provincial board for creating a provincial task force backed by an initial P15 million allocation for containment efforts and farmer assistance.
Sagarbarria earlier said Negros Oriental is expected to declare a province-wide state of calamity following similar declarations in Tanjay City and Bais City.
Despite praising local government initiatives, Nacusip-TUCP criticized the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s containment strategy, particularly its use of drone and aerial spraying operations.
Nacusip-TUCP National President Roland de la Cruz claimed the aerial spraying campaign failed to effectively reach the underside of sugarcane leaves, where the insects primarily thrive, allowing the infestation to spread to neighboring farms.
The labor federation maintained that emergency funds should instead be directed toward cash assistance, crop subsidies and manual pesticide distribution to affected farmers and sugar workers.
De La Cruz also reiterated the group’s earlier criticism of the SRA’s management of its anti-RSSI program, saying the continued reinfestation demonstrates the need to reassess existing control strategies./CCJ, WDJ