• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The race to contain the rapid spread of the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation has intensified as more than 18,000 hectares of sugarcane fields in the Visayas and Mindanao have already been validated to be affected.
However, reports indicate that the infestation may have reached over 70,000 hectares.
In Negros Island, which produces more than 60 percent of the country’s sugar output, provincial governments and industry leaders are mobilizing resources and coordinating large-scale interventions to prevent further damage to the sugar industry.
Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., president of the Association of Chief Executives in Negros Occidental, said all available options will be presented to local chief executives during a scheduled meeting on July 17.
“It is important to know that systemic chemicals will be used and all we need to decide on is how this operation should be carried out because we need to act in unison to save our standing crops,” Escalante said.
RSSI has infested more than 30 percent of 250,000 hectares of sugarcane farms in Negros Island, based on reports.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said the uniform protocols to combat RSSI infestation is awaiting the final review and approval of Governor Eugenio Lacson, after Negros Occidental declared a state of calamity last month.
Three days after Executive Order No. 26-12 was issued, creating the Provincial Biosecurity Task Force, members of its technical working group, and research and development team formulated a comprehensive and sustainable response plan against the infestation.
Among the measures underway are genome sequencing of RSSI, propagation of local parasitoids, predator insects and beneficial fungi as well as the preparation of a detailed budget to support the campaign.
Diaz said the mobilization of personnel, laboratories and other resources will begin next week once Lacson approves the operational plan.
Meanwhile, Negros Oriental Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria said the provincial government is expected to declare a state of calamity during the Sangguniang Panlalawigan regular session this week.
Sagarbarria said Tanjay City and Bais City have already declared a state of calamity while other sugar-producing local government units affected by RSSI are expected to follow suit.
The Negros Oriental provincial government has proposed an initial allocation of P15 million to support efforts to contain the infestation and assist affected farmers.
The United Sugar Producers’ Federation (UNIFED) has also intensified consultations with local chief executives from both Negros provinces to discuss a synchronized, one-time, large-scale aerial spraying operation.
UNIFED president Manuel Lamata emphasized the need for a unified response during a forum held at Nature’s Village in Talisay City on July 10, where experts presented aerial spraying and drone application as possible control measures.
“We need to get our acts together,” Lamata said, adding that only systemic chemicals that are safe for humans, animals, plants and beneficial insects should be used.
Sugar Regulatory Administration Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona lauded the coordinated efforts of sugar farmers, millers and local government units in responding to the crisis.
“The only way we can contain this is through a concerted effort and you have a good start here because your sugar leaders are unified on a crisis like this,” Azcona said during a sugar forum attended by stakeholders from Davao, Cotabato and Bukidnon held in Quezon, Bukidnon. | GPB
