Negros Oriental LGUs support SRA fight vs. sugarcane pest

By Dolly Yasa

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental — Local government units across Negros Oriental have pledged their full support to the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s campaign against the rest striped soft scale insect (RSSI), a pest threatening sugarcane farms in the province.

Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria made the commitment during a technical discussion initiated by the SRA with provincial and municipal officials at the Negros Oriental Capitol recently.

“The provincial government will actively work with SRA to implement pest management strategies and mobilize resources to safeguard our sugar industry,” Sagarbarria said.

He stressed the crop’s role as a vital economic driver and livelihood source for thousands of Negrenses.

The meeting, organized by the SRA’s Research, Development and Extension Department, aimed to boost cooperation with Negros Oriental LGUs in addressing the growing RSSI infestation.

Dr. Ma. Lourdes Almodiente, OIC-Deputy Administrator for RDE, and Helen Lobaton, RDE-Visayas Manager III, led the SRA delegation in presenting the agency’s intervention programs.

They highlighted the need for joint action among national agencies, LGUs, and sugar industry stakeholders to safeguard one of the country’s top sugar-producing provinces.

To further orient attendees on the biology and infestation patterns of RSSI, Aljun Perez, Science Research Specialist II and resident entomologist of the SRA-La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center, provided a technical presentation, along with recommended management practices.

He was followed by Mikko Libo-on, Agriculturist I of the RDE, who shared the latest infestation data in the Visayas as of September 11 this year, underscoring the urgency of proactive interventions in Negros Oriental.

To prevent the further spread of RSSI, SRA recommended three priority measures: de-trashing of old and infested leaves, weed management to eliminate alternate pest hosts, and judicious insecticide application in heavily infested areas.

The agency stressed that under Integrated Pest Management, chemical control should remain a last resort due to concerns over pesticide resistance.

To promote eco-friendly options, SRA-LGAREC researchers are conducting field trials using beneficial fungi as a biological control agent against RSSI.

Once proven effective, the fungi will be mass-produced and distributed free of charge to farmers, planters’ groups, sugar mills, and other stakeholders.

Dr. Almodiente also cited SRA’s regulatory initiatives, including Sugar Order No. 6 (2024–2025) and Memorandum Circular No. 9 (2025), which restrict the transport of sugarcane planting materials to prevent pest spread.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to intensify surveillance, capacity-building, and farmer education programs on pest prevention and management.

SRA underscored that ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sugar industry requires not just research and innovation but also collective action from farmers, LGUs, and national government agencies.

With the looming RSSI threat, the strengthened partnership between SRA and Negros Oriental marks a crucial step toward protecting the resilience of the province’s — and the nation’s — sugarcane sector.

Others in the meeting included Ma. Theresa Alejandrino and Mark Gil Ariola, Variety Improvement and Pest Management Section, SRA-LGAREC; Julian Geolingo, Supervising Agriculturist for South Negros and Negros Oriental Mill Districts; Anabelle Guarin, Senior Agriculturist, Tolong Mill District; and Alfe Dulla, Senior Agriculturist, Bais-URSUMCO Mill District.