The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) sounded the alarm as red-striped soft-scale insect (RSSI) infestation continues to spread rapidly across sugarcane farms in the Visayas, with the total affected area surging to 2,027.79 hectares, impacting 1,097 farmers across 82 barangays as of June 25, 2025.
It said that from only 87 hectares and 76 farmers affected on May 22, the infestation has grown more than 23-fold in just over a month.
Despite the worsening outbreak, the provincial government of Negros Occidental has yet to act on mounting calls to declare a state of calamity for the sugar industry.
Negros Occidental remains the center of the infestation, with 1,980.44 hectares affected and 1,072 farmers impacted in 71 barangays.
Smaller outbreaks have also been confirmed in Negros Oriental, Iloilo and Capiz, where combined affected areas now total nearly 50 hectares.
Since late May, the number of affected barangays has jumped from 24 to 82 across 25 local government units, raising further concern over the scope and speed of the infestation’s spread.
Following aggressive farmer-led interventions, 228 hectares were under recovery, involving 25 farmers in areas such as Bago City, Murcia, EB Magalona, Silay City and Manapla in Negros Occidental and select areas in Capiz and Negros Oriental.
SRA administrator Pablo Luis Azcona earlier submitted a formal recommendation urging LGUs, particularly in highly affected areas, to declare a state of urgency to fast-track quarantine procedures and procurement of pesticides.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) approved a P10-million fund for pesticide procurement under its Quick Response to Pest Outbreak program.
