• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Sugar industry stakeholders in Negros Occidental are pushing for the creation of a province-wide task force to address the growing threat posed by the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI), not only against sugarcane areas but also in corn and vegetable farms.
The suggestion was discussed during their meeting with Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on Wednesday, June 24.
Among those who attended were representatives from Philippine Sugar Research Institute Foundation Inc., Department of Agriculture, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), and Confederation of Sugar Producers Association (CONFED).
Former Governor Rafael Coscolleula, a sugar planter and a member of CONFED, said they reached a consensus that an existing executive order declaring a state of emergency remains in effect and could serve as the legal basis for further action against the pest outbreak.
Coscolluela said Lacson agreed to pursue the issuance of an executive order creating a provincial task force dedicated to managing the RSSI problem.
While the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) established an RSSI task force last year, he stressed that the infestation is no longer confined to the sugar industry.
“The focus now is not just on sugarcane but the pest itself,” Coscolluela said, noting that RSSI has already affected other crops such as corn, vegetables, and other leafy plants.
Under the proposed executive order, the task force will bring together a broader group of implementers, including local government units (LGUs), which were not part of the original SRA-led task force.
Coscolluela emphasized the need to strengthen surveillance and mapping efforts down to the barangay level.
“We know the problem is here, but we don’t know the exact numbers. We don’t have real-time data,” he said.
One of the task force’s key responsibilities will be establishing an effective surveillance and mapping system to identify areas affected by RSSI and classify them according to infestation levels through a color-coded system such as red, orange, and yellow alerts.
“The data will tell us where the task force should concentrate its efforts,” he added.
Another major concern raised during the meeting was the availability of biological control agents used to combat RSSI.
Stakeholders acknowledged that while several biocontrol options exist, there is still no clear assessment of current production capacity or the actual volume needed to contain the infestation.
Coscolluela said the task force will be tasked with determining the province’s requirements and identifying ways to address any supply gaps.
While the provincial government is not necessarily expected to establish its own laboratory, he noted that the OPA has the capability to do so.
He added that stakeholders have suggested that sugar mills establish their own laboratories to mass-produce biological control agents.
“We need adequate supplies of these control agents. If we know what needs to be done but don’t have the materials, we won’t be able to respond effectively,” he said.
Coscolluela stressed that once the executive order is issued and the task force is mobilized, the formulation of an operations plan will be critical.
He said the plan should clearly define the necessary interventions, responsible agencies, resource requirements, targets, implementation strategies, and mechanisms to sustain the program.
“The sad reality is that RSSI is here to stay. We need a permanent structure and mechanism to control the pest,” he added.
The former governor also underscored the need for coordination with Negros Oriental, where RSSI infestations have likewise spread.
He noted that proposals have been raised to establish border patrols or checkpoints to monitor the movement of agricultural materials.
The SRA has recommended stricter controls requiring permits for agricultural products entering the province to help prevent the spread of pests.
However, Coscolluela questioned the effectiveness of border controls alone, saying RSSI is already widespread across the island.
“At this point, border patrols may no longer be enough because RSSI is already all over. What we need are effective control measures to prevent further spread and that includes working closely with Negros Oriental,” he said.
As of June 21, RSSI has affected 13,797 hectares of sugarcane farms in 333 barangays, impacting 5,258 farmers.
Of the total affected areas, 12,332.52 hectares are in Negros Occidental and 1,465 hectares are in Negros Oriental.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, who said that reported cases have reached more than 30 percent of the planted areas, described the situation as a serious outbreak that worsened after the dry season.
He warned of significant consequences for sugar production if left unchecked. | GPB
