Capiz sugarcane farmers receive RSSI emergency cash aid
By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Around 3,112 sugarcane farmers affected by the red-striped soft scale insect infestation received Emergency Cash Transfer assistance worth PHP 10,325 each on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
The first batch received cash assistance at Dumalag Central School and included 1,242 farmers from Dumalag, 21 from Dao and 729 from Dumarao.
A second batch received assistance the same day at the Sigma Civic Center, including 1,244 farmers from Sigma, 20 from Jamindan, 15 from Mambusao and 141 from Cuartero.
The distribution was led by Capiz Gov. Fredenil “Oto” Castro and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region VI.
Castro said he personally sought ways to assist sugarcane farmers badly affected by the pest infestation.
He said he immediately called the attention of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian regarding the plight of affected sugarcane farmers.
Castro also asked the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Capiz to place the province under a state of calamity on Aug. 10, 2026.
He also issued an executive order creating an RSSI Task Force to lead pest-control measures, spraying and treatment, and the delivery of assistance from the Department of Agriculture and Sugar Regulatory Administration, including drone spraying and the distribution of insecticides.
According to the DSWD, Capiz currently has 17,000 beneficiaries.
Farmers in Pontevedra and Panitan who are listed under the Provincial Registry System also received cash assistance Thursday morning.
The municipality-by-municipality figures provided for Wednesday’s two batches total 3,412 beneficiaries, higher than the reported overall figure of around 3,112.
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