Philippines: SRA seeks P10-million budget for emergency response to sugarcane pest outbreak in Negros, Western Visayas
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is requesting a P10-million budget from the Department of Agriculture (DA) to combat a growing insect infestation that is damaging sugarcane plantations in the Negros Island Region (NIR) and parts of Western Visayas.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said the funding would be used to procure pesticides, support operational logistics, and provide technical assistance to affected farmers, as red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) continue to spread across sugarcane fields.
Describing the infestation as “alarming,” the SRA has also sought emergency powers and urged local government units in affected areas to declare a state of calamity.
As of June 2, around 424.82 hectares of sugarcane land in 16 towns and cities have been affected by the pest. In Negros Occidental, the impacted areas include Bacolod, La Carlota, Cadiz, Bago, Silay, Sagay, Victorias, La Castellana, EB Magalona, Calatrava, Toboso, Murcia, and Manapla. In Negros Oriental, Mabinay has reported cases, while in Western Visayas, the towns of Anilao in Iloilo and Sigma in Capiz have also been hit.
Albert Barrogo, acting director of DA-NIR, said on June 4 that SRA’s request for emergency powers is reasonable to fast-track the purchase of necessary supplies. However, he noted uncertainty over whether the authority to grant such powers lies with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. or Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
Barrogo pointed out that current conditions—unforeseen events, imminent risk to property, and urgent timelines—qualify for emergency purchases under the government procurement law. Still, red tape remains a major hurdle.
Officials say the procurement and auditing requirements set by the Commission on Audit (COA) are delaying the SRA’s ability to act quickly. While the agency is pushing to initiate emergency procurement of pesticides to combat Pulvinaria tenuivalvata (RSSI), it is still subject to strict rules.
Under existing law, emergency purchases are capped at ₱100,000. Any procurement exceeding that amount must undergo competitive bidding, a process that typically takes at least three months—far too slow for the current crisis.
