• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation continues to spread across the country, with the total affected area reaching 41,814 hectares in 794 barangays, affecting 20,208 farmers as of July 31.
This is according to data from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), which showed that Visayas remains the hardest-hit region, accounting for 37,351.37 hectares of affected sugarcane areas.
Mindanao follows with 1,095 hectares while 532.36 hectares have been affected in Luzon.
The scale of the infestation is significant, with the country having a total of 421,606 hectares planted with sugarcane.
Of the total area, 277,080.46 hectares are located in the Visayas, where the impact of the infestation has been most severe.
The worsening situation, especially in Negros Island, has prompted sugarcane stakeholders to seek immediate government intervention.
On Aug. 14, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos convened with sugarcane industry stakeholders together with SRA officials led by Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, to discuss the infestation affecting plantations in Negros.
In a social media post, she thanked participants from different political affiliations for coming together to address the crisis.
“Don’t fix the blame. Fix the problem,” Araneta-Marcos said, emphasizing the need for collective action rather than assigning fault.
She said stakeholders must work together to find solutions and help the sugar industry recover and thrive.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez, who attended the SRA briefing, said the First Lady assured stakeholders that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will soon visit the province to personally address the crisis and announce government commitments.
“She came here to listen so she can relay the situation to the President,” Benitez said.
He added that a unified action plan is being finalized, with government support measures expected to be announced as early as next week. | GPB
