The Department of Social Welfare and Development Negros Island Region has distributed ₱410,283,675 in Emergency Cash Transfers (ECT) to 39,847 sugarcane famers affected by the red-striped soft scale insects so far, DSWD NIR Regional Director Arwin Razo said Sunday, Sept. 20.
More disbursements to Negros Island farmers will continue until the end of the year, Razo said.
They are just waiting for the downloading of additional funds, he said, reiterating that the total disbursement could reach more than P1 billion.
The RSSI damages sugarcane crops by feeding directly on the stalks and leaves, sucking out vital plant sap and causing severe nutritional depletion, the Sugar Regulatory Administration said earlier.
As the insects feed, they excrete a sticky honeydew substance that fosters the rapid spread of black sooty mold across the leaves, which blocks sunlight and drastically severely hinders the sugarcane’s ability to photosynthesize.
Over time, this combined stress turns the stalks blackened and brittle, stunts overall plant growth, and can reduce the sucrose content in harvested sugarcane by up to 50 percent, resulting in severe yield declines and heavy economic losses for sugar planters.
The DSWD is distributing the assistance to help mitigate the farmers losses.
Negros Occidental has received the bulk of ECT aid for RSSI affected farmers as of Friday, Sept. 18.
Negros Occidental received ₱352,743,300 distributed among 34,164 beneficiaries, Razo said.
Within the province, the Kabankalan City recorded the highest level of assistance at ₱68,919,375 for 6,675 farmers, followed by La Castellana with ₱47,938,975 for 4,643 farmers, and Himamaylan City with ₱36,643,425 for 3,549 beneficiaries.
Significant funding was also distributed to Murcia with ₱23,974,650, as well as Hinoba-an and Isabela, which each received ₱23,355,150 for 2,262 beneficiaries.
Additional allocations were provided to other affected areas including Binalbagan, City of Cadiz, Cauayan, Hinigaran, La Carlota City, Manapla, Moises Padilla, Sagay City, San Carlos City, Sipalay City, Talisay City, and Salvador Benedicto.
In Negros Oriental, the program distributed ₱57,540,375.00 to support 5,683 sugarcane farmers.
The municipality of Mabinay logged the largest portion in the province, receiving ₱25,828,875 for 2,551 beneficiaries, followed by the Canlaon City with ₱8,818,875.00 for 871 farmers, and Bais City with ₱8,494,875.00 for 839 farmers.
Other covered municipalities included Amlan, Basay, City of Bayawan, Dauin, Jimalalud, Pamplona, Santa Catalina, Siaton, Tayasan, and Zamboanguita.*
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