SRA Seeks Emergency Powers to Fight Sugar Pest Spread

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — The spread of Red-Striped Soft Scale Insects (RSSI) in Negros has reached an “alarming” level, prompting the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to seek emergency powers.

This was stated in a press release furnished by the SRA to local media.

The SRA is also seeking assistance from other government agencies to contain the pest in Negros Island, which produces more than 60 percent of the country’s sugar.

RSSI was first detected in northern Negros Occidental in late March and declared an infestation on May 22 after it spread across more than 87 hectares.

By May 26, the infestation reached 191 hectares and grew to 255 hectares by May 28.

SRA’s latest report, dated May 30, showed the affected area had nearly doubled to 424.82 hectares within two days.

This prompted the agency to request support from the Department of Agriculture, the Province of Negros Occidental, affected local government units, and the Bureau of Plant Industry for immediate quarantine measures.

During an interagency meeting yesterday, SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona called for strict controls on the movement of cane and planting materials.

He said studies suggest the pest, which first appeared in Luzon in 2022 and was contained in 2024, may have been unintentionally brought to Negros.

“RSSI was first observed in Luzon in 2022 and contained by SRA and DA in 2024,” Azcona said.

“It is surprising how it reached Negros, where 65 percent of the industry is based, and I am asking the DA and BPI to disallow the entry of planting materials, whether for commercial or research purposes, without certification from the SRA and/or DA.”

SRA Deputy Administrator Atty. Ignacio Santillana said a policy is needed to allow emergency procurement and pesticide distribution due to strict regulations from the Commission on Audit.

“We want to utilize PHP1.5 million for pesticide purchase while awaiting assistance from the Department of Agriculture, but our hands are tied without a policy for emergency procurement,” Santillana said.

“Considering the rate of spread, this is an emergency.”

SRA believes the actual extent of the infestation may be greater than reported due to limited manpower to verify field reports, further emphasizing the need for support from local government agriculturists.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist said it will seek guidance from Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on implementing a coordinated response among government agencies.

OPA and SRA will also coordinate with chief executives in the Victorias Milling District, which includes the cities of Victorias and Cadiz and the town of Manapla, covering nearly half of the infestation at 219 hectares.

Thirteen towns and cities in Negros Occidental have reported the presence of RSSI, while Mabinay in Negros Oriental and Anilao in Panay have also confirmed sightings.

Azcona said this situation warrants the involvement of the BPI to ensure no transport of planting materials between islands and affected areas while the infestation is ongoing.

“We never thought this would happen, and we now know this pest is difficult to spread unless brought through infected canes,” he said.

“I am confident we can arrest this with everyone’s cooperation, but if we don’t, this will hit the sugar industry at its core.”

“Negros is not only the country’s primary sugar source, it also supplies high-yielding cane points to Mindanao,” he added.

“This is why we need regulations and policies now—someone has to be accountable for what’s happening.”