By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson confirmed cases of African swine fever (ASF) in San Enrique yesterday, as localities have been intensifying measures to contain the spread of the highly contagious hog disease affecting the industry. Lacson affirmed yesterday that laboratory test results have verified the presence of ASF in the …
HEADLINE
Unifed: RSSI infestation ‘alarming’ | Action sought as sugar industry under threat
By CESAR JOLITO III The United Sugar Producers Federation (Unifed) is set to meet with Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) officials today to discuss urgent measures against the rapidly spreading red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation affecting sugarcane plantations. Unifed President Manuel Lamata described the situation as alarming, noting …
Focus on watershed preservation | Nature protection urged in bulk water project
By CESAR JOLITO III The Green Alert Network Negros Island Region Inc. is set to submit a manifesto outlining its position and recommendations regarding the proposed Negros Occidental bulk water supply project being pushed by the provincial government. The project identifies the Malogo River, which traverses Silay City, E.B. Magalona and Victorias City, as a …
Protect blue crab industry | Bacolod urges nat’l action amid US import ban
By CESAR JOLITO III The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved a resolution urging national government agencies to take immediate action to cushion the impact of the United States import ban on blue swimming crabs in the Philippines, warning that the restriction threatens the livelihood of thousands of workers and fisherfolk. The resolution also expresses support …
Fungus ‘army’ vs. sugar pest | DA mobilizes biocontrol agent to curb RSSI infestation
By CESAR JOLITO III The Department of Agriculture (DA) has ordered the mass production of a naturally occurring fungus to combat the destructive red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) as the infestation spreads to 4,847.63 hectares of sugarcane farms across the Visayas, posing a growing threat to the country’s sugar industry. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, …
No clash deaths | Police, gov’t troops slam socmed claims on Calatrava gunfight
By CESAR JOLITO III Authorities debunked social media posts claiming that government troops suffered casualties during an armed encounter at Barangay Lalong in Negros Occidental’s Calatrava town on Sunday, June 14. In separate statements, the Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – …
Emergency state looms over outbreak | Declaration depends on extent of RSSI damage
By CESAR JOLITO III A state of emergency may soon be declared in Negros Occidental as the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation continues to spread across sugar-producing areas, affecting more than 2,000 hectares of sugarcane farms in the Visayas. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the provincial government is considering the declaration but emphasized that …
Sugarcane pest hotspot | RSSI doubles infestation to almost 2,000 hectares
By CESAR JOLITO III Negros Occidental remains the hardest-hit province amid the infestation of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) in at least 1,949.45 hectares of sugarcane fields, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said, as the pest continues to spread across sugar-producing areas in the Negros Island Region. Based on the SRA data released yesterday, RSSI …
Regain access to foreign buyers | NegOcc seeks stronger policies, market compliance
By CESAR JOLITO III The US import ban on blue swimming crab exports is projected to cause the Philippines annual economic losses of up to P6 billion, as the Negros Occidental provincial government now seeks the intervention of the national government to help restore access to the foreign market. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said they …
Buyers scale back exports | Blue crab industry seeks gov’t help on US ban
By CESAR JOLITO III Crab pickers from processing facilities across the country have made an emotional appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., urging the national government to act swiftly as the United States’ ban on Philippine blue swimming crab imports threatens their livelihoods and the future of thousands of families. In a statement shared by …