The Department of Agriculture (DA) is urging rice farmers across the Negros Island Region (NIR) to remain vigilant against rice black bugs, regional director Jose Albert Barrogo said on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
While the presence of black bugs has been reported in the town of Sibulan, Negros Oriental, he noted that the agency has not received any reports of infestations in other parts of the NIR.
But they continue to closely monitor all areas as a precautionary measure, Barrogo said.
The Rice Black Bug (RBB), scientifically known as Scotinophara coarctata, is a serious sap-feeding pest that primarily attacks rice crops, potentially leading to significant yield loss if left unchecked.
The DA NIR, in a report on its Facebook page, said they recently investigated reports of an infestation in Maslog, Sibulan.
Following a field visitation on Tuesday, Bernard Limbaga, the Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer for Negros Oriental, reassured the public that the situation is not serious.
“There is no need to worry as the situation is under control,” Limbaga said. He added that data collected during the inspection showed only one or two insects were found across fifteen samples in a 1.5-hectare area.
Despite these findings, local stakeholders remain cautious. Porferio Ejercito, a seed grower and landowner in the area, expressed concern about the potential for pests to spread and impact overall production.
In response to these concerns, the DA-NIR encourages all farmers and residents to remain prepared and to immediately report any sightings of the pest to ensure a rapid response.*
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