• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Some 6,269 farmers and landowners affected by the infestation of red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) in sugarcane communities across Negros Island received a total of P64.727 million in Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as of Aug. 8.
Records from the DSWD-Negros Island Region showed that the RSSI infestation has affected 38,717 families or 149,286 individuals across 410 barangays in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
Negros Occidental recorded the highest number of affected local government units, with 19 while eight LGUs were reported affected in Negros Oriental.
The infestation has impacted sugarcane-producing communities throughout the region, with 78,352 hectares of sugarcane plantations reported affected.
DSWD has confirmed damage covering 22,792.25 hectares involving 15,135 farmers in various cities and municipalities across Negros Island.
Among the areas reporting substantial affected plantations are Kabankalan City, Cadiz City, Victorias City, Sagay City, Bago City, Ilog, Calatrava, and Murcia in Negros Occidental and Mabinay, Canlaon City, Bayawan City, and Bais City in Negros Oriental.
To provide immediate financial assistance to affected beneficiaries, DSWD has conducted ECT payout activities in several communities.
Payouts were held in Talisay City and San Carlos City on July 29; Binalbagan and Moises Padilla on Aug. 6; and Isabela on Aug. 7, all in Negros Occidental.
The DSWD-NIR also maintains a P3-million quick response fund and prepositions relief supplies in strategic locations across the region to ensure timely assistance should additional needs arise.
Among the relief resources ready for distribution are 80,087 family food packs, which have been positioned in key areas as the government continues to respond to the impact of the RSSI infestation in affected sugarcane communities. | GPB
