Iloilo on disaster mode as pest ravages 7,021 sugarcane hectares

By Mariela Angella Oladive

ILOILO CITY – The Iloilo provincial government has shifted to “disaster mode” as the red-striped soft scale insect infestation continues to affect sugarcane plantations across the province.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the province needs to move quickly against the pest, which he described as a new problem similar to African swine fever, with no established protocols or institutionalized biosecurity measures.

“It is alarming; that is why we are now in disaster mode,” Defensor said during an Aug. 12 press conference.

The latest data from the Provincial Agriculture Office showed that the red-striped soft scale insect, or RSSI, had affected 7,021 of the 20,749.88 hectares planted with sugarcane in the province.

The affected area represents about 34% of Iloilo’s total sugarcane plantation area, based on provincial data as of July 20, 2026.

Batad recorded the highest proportion of affected plantations at 68%, with 75 hectares affected out of 109.8 hectares planted.

Carles followed at 58%, with 130 of 223.13 hectares affected, then Banate at 57%, with 490 of 865 hectares affected.

Dingle recorded 56%, with 280 of 502.94 hectares affected, and Anilao 50%, with 930 of 1,858.2 hectares affected.

In terms of affected area, Passi City recorded the largest at 2,275 hectares, equivalent to 45% of its 5,057.52 hectares of sugarcane plantations.

San Enrique followed with 1,100 hectares affected, or 43% of its 2,561 hectares planted.

Other areas reporting RSSI-affected plantations include Barotac Nuevo, Barotac Viejo, Calinog, Concepcion, Dueñas, Dumangas, Janiuay, Lambunao, Pototan, San Dionisio, San Rafael, Sara, Balasan, Bingawan, and Estancia.

Defensor said the Provincial Agriculture Office has completed an RSSI protocol and that he will issue an executive order to formalize the provincial response.

The province will also regulate the movement of sugarcane planting materials based on a zoning map showing the location and extent of infected areas.

Under the classification discussed at a July 28 meeting of the Provincial Community Defense Cluster, farms would be graded slight for damage below 10%, moderate for 11% to 30%, severe for 31% to 60%, and extreme for more than 60%, with municipalities then sorted into Yellow, Orange, and Red zones.

“We will formulate protocols and implement biosecurity measures for RSSI, and we will see what assistance we can give to the industry. Again, we are moving into disaster mode,” Defensor said.

He said operating in disaster mode means acting as quickly as possible to contain the infestation.

The province is also looking into assistance for affected farmers, including possible coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development for aid to individuals in crisis.

Geron Magbanua, officer in charge of the Provincial Agriculture Office, earlier said that RSSI spreads easily and reproduces rapidly, with a single life cycle producing more than 300 eggs.

He added that infestation accelerates during the dry season.

The provincial government is coordinating with the Sugar Regulatory Administration and other agencies for monitoring, surveillance, and data validation.

Current measures include chemical and biological control, farmer education, and drone-assisted application of biological control agents and foliar fertilizers.

Stakeholders have also proposed additional spraying equipment, assistance for small sugarcane planters, biological control laboratories, and further trials on drone spraying.

RSSI feeds on sugarcane sap and can reduce plant productivity, with the Sugar Regulatory Administration reporting that the insect’s honeydew excretion promotes fungal growth on leaves and impairs photosynthesis.

The pest was first detected in the Philippines in 2022 and has since become one of the most serious threats to the domestic sugar industry, according to the agency, which has warned that heavy infestation can cut sugar content by close to half.

The infestation has emerged as a major concern for the Philippine sugar industry, prompting the Department of Agriculture and the Sugar Regulatory Administration to intensify chemical spraying, drone operations, financial assistance, and biological control measures.

The agency has set aside PHP 35 million to extend drone spraying to 25,000 hectares of infested fields, with a further expansion to between 40,000 and 45,000 hectares under preparation.

Negros Occidental remains the hardest-hit province, where at least 30% of its 67,000 hectares of sugarcane farms are infested and the agency has warned that unchecked spread could cost the country roughly 150,000 metric tons of raw sugar, or about 8% of annual production.

Neighboring Capiz has declared a state of calamity over its own RSSI infestation.

In Iloilo, provincial officials have been coordinating with the Sugar Regulatory Administration, the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Plant Industry, sugar millers, and sugarcane planters as part of efforts to contain the pest and strengthen monitoring and surveillance.