• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental Provincial Biosecurity Task Force has reported that 77.13 hectares classified under Level 1 and Level 2 infestations, representing mild to moderate pest presence, have already been treated.
“The treated areas account for about five percent of all identified farms under the two infestation levels,” task force head Engr. Colen Ocalinas said.
In a press briefing on Aug. 4, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson assured sugar farmers that the provincial government would continue working closely with concerned agencies to strengthen monitoring, accelerate intervention efforts, and protect both sugar production and the livelihoods of thousands of planters and farm workers.
The provincial government has expanded its response through close coordination with the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), the Department of Agriculture, local government units, and other stakeholders in implementing science-based and environmentally responsible pest control measures.
As part of the intensified campaign, the provincial government will also increase the production and distribution of biological control materials to help curb the spread of the infestation.
Based on SRA data, Negros Occidental has 190,314 hectares planted to sugarcane. Of this, 31,432 hectares have been reported affected by RSSI while 15,264 sugar farmers have been validated as impacted by the infestation. | GPB
