PNA file photo courtesy of SRA
The Negros Island Region recorded the largest red-striped soft scale insect infestation in the Visayas, affecting more than 11,000 sugarcane farmers, according to the Sugar Regulatory Administration.
The agency said 78,352 hectares of the region’s 239,215.62 hectares of sugarcane farms had been reported affected. Of this total, 28,464.75 hectares in 423 barangays had been validated.
The number of affected farmers reached 11,461 in Negros Island, far exceeding the figures reported in Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas and Central Visayas.
Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria said the provincial government was prepared to release Php 15 million from its Quick Response Fund to purchase systemic insecticides and support containment efforts.
The provincial board placed Negros Oriental under a state of calamity last week, allowing the government to tap emergency funds for the infestation and other urgent concerns.
Sagarbarria said the chemicals would be absorbed by sugarcane plants to improve their resistance to the insect. He added that more costly measures, including aerial spraying, would require assistance from the Department of Agriculture.
The agriculture department was also set to provide Php 10,000 in financial assistance to each affected farmer through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
SRA Administrator Pablo Azcona said the agency was seeking a coordinated strategy between Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental to contain the infestation across the island.
