• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Thursday (June 5) the P10-million budget being requested by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to address the infestation of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) in Negros and Panay has already been approved.
As of June 2, the infestation has already affected 546.10 hectares of sugarcane fields in 46 barangays of 16 towns and cities of Negros Island Region, and two localities in Panay Island, affecting 294 farmers.
Bago City was the hardest hit, with 124.76 hectares affected, followed by Cadiz City, 84.97 hectares; Victorias City and Manapla, 74 hectares each; Murcia 63.62 hectares; La Carlota City, 31.77 hectares; La Castellana, 26.51 hectares; Silay City, 22.97 hectares; and E.B. Magalona, 15.26 hectares.
“Whatever support they need from the national government, we will give it,” Laurel, who inspected areas in northern Negros affected by the RSSI infestation, said.
He was accompanied by SRA officials led by Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona.
The RSSI damages sugarcane by sucking leaf sap, causing the foliage to die, and its excrement also encourages fungal growth that can kill the plant.
As to the request of farmers to quarantine movement of sugarcane planting materials, Laurel said that quarantine measures have long been implemented on planting materials.
“The problem is, there are some who wanted to transport it without a permit,” but Laurel said it is now being investigated.
Despite the concerning situation, Azcona assured the public that the outbreak is still under control.
The SRA has sought emergency powers, citing the RSSI infestation as “alarming,” and called on affected local government units to declare a state of calamity.
Azcona said the pest, which had previously been contained in Luzon, appears to have reached Negros accidentally. | GB
