By Marita Moaje
MANILA – The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is urgently seeking emergency powers and inter-agency support to combat the fast-growing infestation of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) in Negros Island, home to over 60 percent of the Philippines’ sugar production.
In a news release on Monday, the SRA said Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona announced the alarming state of RSSI in the “sugarlandia”, during an inter-government agency meeting on Sunday, as he called for strict quarantine measures on the movement of canes and planting materials.
He said studies showed that the pest, which was earlier monitored in Luzon, might have been accidentally brought in to Negros.
“RSSI’s presence was first noted in end of March in northern Negros Occidental and was declared an infestation in May 22 when it spread in over 87 hectares. After informing sugar farmers, the spread reached 191 hectares as recorded on May 26, and to 255 hectares on May 28,” Azcona said.
As of May 30, he said the infestation almost doubled to 424.82 hectares, which prompted the SRA to seek the help of other government agencies, particularly the Department of Agriculture (DA), the province of Negros Occidental and affected local government units, and the Bureau of Plant and Industry (BPI) for quarantine measures.
Azcona said RSSI was first detected in Luzon in 2022 and contained by 2024.
However, its appearance in Negros, considered the heart of the sugar industry, is highly concerning.
Azcona warned that without swift action, the infestation could seriously impact national sugar supply and farmer incomes.
“I am asking the DA and BPI to disallow entry of planting materials, whether it’s for commercial or research purposes, without a certification from SRA, and or the DA,” he said.
Meanwhile, SRA Deputy Administrator Ignacio Santillana underscored the need for a policy enabling emergency procurement and distribution of pesticides, given the strict regulations of the Commission on Audit (COA).
“We currently want to utilize PHP1.5 million for pesticide purchase while we are waiting for the assistance from the Department of Agriculture, but our hands are tied unless there is a policy in place for emergency purchase, and considering the rate of spread, this is an emergency,” he said.
The infestation has now spread across 13 towns and cities in Negros Occidental, and reports have emerged from Mabinay in Negros Oriental and even Anilao in Panay.
In the Victorias Milling District alone, the SRA said 219 hectares of sugarcane plantation are now affected.
The BPI has expressed readiness to assist, but admitted it lacks the legal authority to halt shipments of cane without a formal quarantine policy.
It cited a recent failed attempt to block a shipment from Escalante to Panay due to this legal gap.
To contain the pest, the SRA is recommending that farmers avoid sourcing cane points from infested areas and soak planting materials in pesticides before use.
Spraying operations will begin this week in collaboration with the DA and BPI, with a public forum scheduled on June 9 to raise awareness among farmers.
RSSI is known to thrive in high temperatures and damage the underside of sugarcane leaves, severely affecting crop health.
The SRA’s research arm is also exploring the use of natural predators to avoid long-term reliance on chemical pesticides.
Azcona said the agency has requested PHP10 million in assistance from Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who responded positively to the call.
He also instructed SRA teams to study drone spraying technologies to cover large areas quickly, with a target of up to 50 hectares per day, if needed. (PNA)
