• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Former Negros Occidental governor Rafael Coscolluela has expressed reservations over proposals to combat the rapid spread of the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) through massive aerial spraying of pesticides in sugarcane plantations across the Negros Island Region.
While acknowledging the urgency of containing the infestation, Coscolluela said authorities must carefully weigh the practicality and possible environmental and public health consequences of large-scale aerial spraying.
“It sounds good, but we have to look at its practicality,” he said, raising concerns over the potential impact of pesticide drift on nearby communities, poultry farms, and other non-target areas.
Coscolluela noted that aircraft spraying operations are difficult to control, particularly because of wind conditions that could carry chemical pesticides beyond sugarcane fields.
“They are proposing chemical pesticides to be sprayed over sugarcane areas while avoiding poultry farms and local communities. But how can you control that? When planes spray, there is always the wind factor that could bring the chemicals to other areas,” he said.
Coscolluela also questioned the possible effects of widespread pesticide application on wildlife, particularly beneficial insects that play an important role in integrated pest management.
Beyond biodiversity concerns, the former governor warned of possible contamination of rivers, groundwater, and drinking water sources.
“If you engage in massive spraying of pesticides, what would happen to our rivers and sources of drinking water? Are there measures that can prevent pollution or contamination of groundwater and drinking water?” Coscolluela asked.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration has validated more than 18,000 hectares of sugarcane fields in the Visayas and Mindanao as affected by RSSI, although some reports estimate the infestation may have already spread to more than 70,000 hectares.
Instead of relying solely on aircraft, Coscolluela proposed a coordinated approach involving local government units supported by an “army of people” conducting targeted ground spraying in affected areas. | GPB
