Photo courtesy of DSWD-NIR
The Department of Social Welfare and Development has distributed about Php 64 million in emergency cash assistance to sugarcane farmers and landowners affected by the red-striped soft scale insect infestation in the Negros Island Region.
Since payouts began on July 29, 6,269 beneficiaries had received Php 10,325 each to help cover basic needs while dealing with crop losses and reduced income.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration said 78,352 hectares of sugarcane plantations had been affected by the infestation as of July 17.
Field assessments had confirmed damage across 22,792.25 hectares, involving 15,135 farmers in Negros Island.
The infestation affected 19 cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental and eight areas in Negros Oriental, including several major sugar-producing communities.
On Aug. 6, 1,571 farmers in Moises Padilla received about Php 16.22 million, while 1,596 beneficiaries in Binalbagan received around Php 16.48 million.
Earlier payouts also covered farmers in Talisay City and San Carlos City. Other affected areas included Kabankalan, Cadiz, Victorias, Sagay, Bago, Ilog, Calatrava, Murcia and Isabela in Negros Occidental, as well as Mabinay, Canlaon, Bayawan and Bais in Negros Oriental.
The DSWD said the distribution would continue in coordination with the Sugar Regulatory Administration, Department of Agrarian Reform, provincial and local governments, and other partner agencies to reach more eligible beneficiaries.