The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has sought emergency powers and the help of other government agencies, to stop the “alarming” spread of the red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) across sugarcane plantations on Negros Island.
The SRA said in a statement on Monday the agency needs emergency powers to contain the spread of the RSSI in Negros, which accounts for more than 60 percent of the country’s sugar produce.
The RSSI is a sugarcane pest that can reduce sugar content by almost 50 percent.
The agency said that based on its records dated May 30, the RSSI infestation in the region almost doubled to 424.82 hectares, from the 255 hectares on May 28.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, during an inter-government agency meeting on Monday, called for strict quarantine measures on the movement of canes and planting materials.
“RSSI was first observed in Luzon in 2022 and was contained by the SRA and the DA in 2024. It is surprising how it got to Negros where 65 percent of the industry is present and I am asking the DA (Department of Agriculture) and the BPI (Bureau of Plant Industry) to disallow entry of planting materials whether it’s for commercial or research purposes without a certification from SRA, and or the DA,” Azcona said.
Meanwhile, SRA Deputy Administrator Ignacio Santillana emphasized the need to fast-track the procurement and distribution of pesticides given the strict regulations of the Commission on Audit on the government procurement process.
Santillana said they would like to utilize P1.5 million for pesticides’ purchase while waiting for the assistance from the DA but said a policy for emergency purchases should be in place first.
The SRA added that the infestation could even be wider than reported, given their manpower limitations.
The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist said that they will seek the guidance of Negros Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on how they can put together a coordinated response as soon as possible.
The SRA said that so far, 13 towns and cities in Negros Occidental have reported being hit by the RSSI infestation while Mabinay in Negros Oriental and Anilao in Panay also reported some spread.
Azcona said the situation warranted the help of the BPI to enforce a ban on the transport of planting materials between islands and affected areas.
“We never thought this would happen and now we found out that it is hard to cross this pest unless it was brought in through infected canes. I am confident we can arrest this with the help and cooperation of everyone. But if we don’t, this is hitting the sugar industry at its heart because Negros is also the major source of sugar for the country,” Azcona warned.
“Negros also supplies high-yielding cane points for Mindanao, and all the more why we need to come up with regulations and policies in place because somebody has to take responsibility for what’s happening now,” he added.
Azcona has emphasized that without a concrete policy, BPI’s actions will also be limited. He recalled that they recently tried to stop the transport of planting materials from Escalante, Negros Occidental, to Panay Island but had to release the shipment in the absence of a policy banning the transport of such materials.