Capiz forms task force against sugarcane pest
By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The Capiz provincial government has created a task force to contain the red-striped soft scale insect infestation threatening sugarcane and other high-value crops.
Gov. Fredenil H. Castro signed Executive Order No. 23, Series of 2026, on Aug. 7.
The order created a task force to prevent the pest from spreading and causing further damage to sugarcane farms.
Data initially cited by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist showed that 3,126 hectares of partially and totally damaged sugarcane plantations were spread across 11 of the province’s 16 municipalities and Roxas City.
The governor chairs the task force, while the Sugar Regulatory Administration serves as vice chair.
Members include representatives from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Department of Agriculture, municipal agriculture offices, sugarcane planters’ associations and other organizations involved in sugar production.
The task force is responsible for monitoring and validating infestation data.
It will also develop measures to contain the pest, provide technical training to agricultural extension workers and recommend the use of insecticides, biological controls and appropriate sugarcane farming practices.
Capiz was placed under a state of calamity Monday, Aug. 10, because of the infestation.
Castro recommended the declaration to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan because of extensive damage to the province’s sugar industry and concerns that the pest could spread to corn and rice.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council adopted Resolution No. 6, Series of 2026, recommending the calamity declaration because of the severe infestation.
The provincial board unanimously approved the resolution during a special session.
RSSI is an invasive pest that feeds on plant sap and promotes the growth of black sooty mold.
The mold coats sugarcane leaves, blocks sunlight, disrupts photosynthesis and reduces cane yield and sugar content, according to the Department of Agriculture.
The pest was first detected in the Philippines in 2022 and has become a recurring threat to the sugar industry.
A separate Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office report, citing data from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, placed the affected area at 3,331.61 hectares from July through Aug. 10.
The report listed around 1,819 affected sugarcane farmers in Cuartero, Dao, Dumalag, Dumarao, Jamindan, Maayon, Panitan, Pilar, Pontevedra, President Roxas and Sigma.
As of Aug. 10, the infestation had affected about 76.68% of Capiz’s 4,345.10 hectares of sugarcane fields.
The municipality-level breakdown was: Cuartero, 13 farmers and 14.50 hectares; Dao, 35 farmers and 122.71 hectares; Dumalag, 16 farmers and 12.50 hectares; Dumarao, 123 farmers and 61.03 hectares; Jamindan, 22 farmers and 18.25 hectares; Maayon, 310 farmers and 533.33 hectares; Panitan, 85 farmers and 207.70 hectares; Pilar, 535 farmers and 729.24 hectares; Pontevedra, 365 farmers and 890.61 hectares; President Roxas, 265 farmers and 176.02 hectares; and Sigma, 211 farmers and 565.72 hectares.
The municipality-level figures total 1,980 farmers, which is 161 more than the reported provincial total of 1,819.
Of the affected fields, 118.19 hectares were totally damaged and 3,213.41 hectares were partially damaged.
Pontevedra recorded the largest affected area at 890.61 hectares.
Pilar followed with 729.24 hectares, while Sigma recorded 565.72 hectares.
Nationwide, RSSI had affected 93,898 of the country’s 421,606 hectares planted with sugarcane as of late July.
Of the affected area, 92,295 hectares were in the Visayas.
Under the Price Act, the prices of basic necessities are automatically frozen at prevailing levels for up to 60 days in areas under a state of calamity unless the president lifts the control earlier.
The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act allocates 30% of a local government’s disaster fund as a quick-response fund for relief and recovery programs.
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