SRA confirms first case of sugarcane infestation in Negros Occidental

MANILA, Philippines — The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is closely monitoring six areas in the northern portion of Negros Occidental after it confirmed infestations of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) in some sugarcane farms in the province.

The pest can reduce the sugar content of sugarcane by almost 50 percent, the SRA warned, citing a study conducted by the University of the Philippines (UP).

It is the first confirmed pest infestation in Negros Occidental, considered as the country’s sugar bowl, the SRA said.

The province accounts for two-thirds of the country’s annual sugar production.

The first confirmed RSSI infestation was reported in Pampanga in 2022.

A task force headed by SRA board member David Andrew Sanson has been created to oversee government response in controlling the infestation and coordinate with relevant government agencies.

The task force is seeking quarantine measures from the Department of Agriculture, the SRA said.

SRA administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said local sugarcane planters should be wary when purchasing cane points or seed canes from other sources, as the pest is suspected to originate from Luzon.

Azcona said the RSSI infestation had occurred in Luzon and still exists these days.

“Stop transporting planting materials from Luzon and other infected areas because it has been observed that the disease came from infected cane points,” Sanson said.

The SRA gave assurance that the infestation would not affect the current supply of sugar since the milling season is about to end.

Sanson said the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) based in UP-Los Baños has discovered at least five insecticides that can control the infestation in Negros.

He said a second trial must be conducted in another location to ensure the efficacy of the insecticides.

If proven effective, the NCPC can secure an emergency-use permit from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority for the five insecticides.