Bacolod City: The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has estimated that sugar producers in the Philippines may suffer revenue losses of up to P350 million due to a red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation that has damaged nearly 3,000 hectares of sugarcane farms across the Negros and Panay Islands, reports The Manila Times.
According to the SRA, the RSSI infestation can reduce sugar content in affected crops by as much as 50%. Based on historical data, the agency projected that the affected 3,000 hectares would normally generate P700 million in revenue, but due to the pest damage, earnings could be cut in half.
“This estimate is based on past experience with similar cases,” said SRA board member David Sanson.
So far, only 237.66 hectares have shown any signs of recovery, the SRA noted. In response to the widespread damage, the agency has appealed to provincial and local governments to declare a state of emergency. This would allow emergency funds to be used for the immediate purchase of pesticides needed to combat the infestation.
However, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Lacson expressed reservations, stating that the scale of damage may not meet the criteria for such a declaration. Some local governments have also been hesitant. Sanson met with Lacson to explore alternative solutions, including the possibility of issuing an executive order focused on addressing the financial impact of the infestation.
Lacson said he would consult the Provincial Legal Office on how to proceed.
Meanwhile, both the Department of Agriculture and the SRA have allocated P15 million for pesticide procurement. In addition to chemical treatments, the SRA is exploring long-term solutions such as biological control methods. One promising option is the mass production of entomo-pathogenic fungi discovered in Capiz, which could serve as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to manage the RSSI outbreak if proven successful.
