• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental with sugarcane farms badly hit by the red soft scale insect (RSSI) may consider the declaration of state of emergency, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday.
“By doing so, their constituent-farmers may expect financial assistance from the concerned LGUs,” Lacson said, but noted that the state of emergency declaration still depends on the LGUs.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has reported that 1,505.82 hectares of sugarcane farms in Negros and Panay have been affected by the RSSI infestation.
SRA has been urging LGUs hit by the infestation to declare a state of emergency for them to streamline procedures and access resources to combat the pest infestation, which can significantly reduce sugar content in sugarcane.
The RSSI has affected 744 sugar farmers in E.B. Magalona, Murcia, Toboso, La Castellana and Manapla, cities of Bago, Victorias, Talisay, Cadiz, La Carlota and Silay, all in Negros Occidental; Mabinay in Negros Oriental, and Sigma in Capiz.
However, the SRA also reported recovery in 97 hectares of sugar farms in Negros Occidental. | GB
