Negros solon urges proactive action on RSSI outbreak

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez has called for a united and proactive response to the challenges facing the sugar industry, particularly the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation that has affected 28,464.75 hectares of sugarcane across Negros Island.

Rather than waiting for problems to worsen, Benitez said stakeholders should work together to identify the issues and implement appropriate solutions while setting politics aside.

“Instead of being reactive, maybe we can be more proactive,” he said during a media interview on Friday.

“I am sure all stakeholders mean well and want the best solution for the industry,” he said.

However, Benitez said differing public statements on the issue have made the situation increasingly divisive.

To help address the industry’s concerns, Benitez said he will convene sugar industry stakeholders and representatives from other sectors during a forum on Aug. 2 at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

The forum will focus on the immediate and long-term needs of the sugar industry, with priority given to addressing the RSSI infestation.

“Everyone should sit down at one table and have an honest discussion about the right solutions to the problems we are facing. We need a whole-of-province approach,” Benitez said.

He noted that RSSI has been present in the province for only about two years.

“When I asked how it got here, someone said it came through planting materials from Luzon,” he said.

Benitez said a task force on RSSI was created last year but has met only once.

“We need to be more proactive and engage more closely with the local government units (LGUs), especially the agriculture departments, so we can track RSSI reports,” he said.

He said proper mechanisms should be established so reported cases can be addressed in real time instead of remaining unresolved for months.

“We can take a more targeted approach and gather more data from sugar farmers,” Benitez said.

“Once RSSI is under control, we can discuss other alternative solutions,” he said, emphasizing that the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) have the primary responsibility for addressing the infestation.

“With their leadership, we can hopefully improve our response,” he said.

RSSI is a sap-sucking insect that weakens sugarcane by feeding on plant sap and producing honeydew that promotes the growth of sooty mold, reducing plant vigor and potentially affecting crop yields.

Malacañang earlier assured the sugar industry that its concerns would be addressed, with Cabinet Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. directing the concerned government agencies to discuss the issue and determine the necessary interventions.

In January, Benitez organized a public consultation on the challenges confronting the sugar industry, convening key stakeholders to discuss the continued decline in millgate sugar prices in the province, its impact on producers, workers, and rural communities, and possible policy and sectoral responses.

Benitez said the province must also focus on the long-term sustainability of the sugar industry.

“I believe we can introduce further innovations in the industry,” he said.