Highly destructive RSSI hits 4,847 ha. of sugarcane in Visayas, enters accelerated phase: SRA
BY CARLA P. GOMEZ
The Red-Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) infestation has entered an accelerated phase across the Visayas, with affected areas having more than doubled to 4,847.63 hectares in six days, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) reported on Thursday, June 18.
The RSSI has affected 2,587 farmers in 244 barangays across the Visayas as of June 11, the report said.
Substantial increases were observed in southern Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Iloilo, the SRA said.
It cited the emergence of new hotspots such as Mabinay in Negros Oriental, and Himamaylan and Binalbagan in Negros Occidental, as well as the first recorded case in Leyte.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Tuesday that he has ordered the mass production of a naturally occurring fungus that can suppress the pest before it inflicts more serious damage on the country’s sugar industry.
The SRA said one of its major innovations against RSSI has been the development and mass production of entomopathogenic fungi — naturally occurring, beneficial microorganisms capable of infecting and controlling pest populations.
SRA researchers have produced and distributed these fungi while conducting hands-on training for farmers, associations, cooperatives, sugar mill personnel, and local government units (LGUs) on their production and application.
The SRA said it is carrying out a large-scale campaign promoting the use of these biological control agents through its Mill District Offices and partner LGUs across affected areas.
The increase in the reported RSSI infestation area to 2,595.05 hectares within six days is also due to massive, intensified monitoring efforts and reporting mechanisms, the SRA said.
Southern Negros Occidental remains the epicenter of the outbreak, accounting for approximately half of the total infested areas, it said.
Negros Oriental experienced the fastest expansion rate, largely due to the sudden surge in Mabinay.
Iloilo continues to register new infestations and expansion across municipalities, the SRA report said.
The emergence of RSSI in Leyte signifies a potential inter-island spread that requires immediate surveillance and containment.
“The sharp rise in affected farmers and barangays suggests that the infestation is rapidly intensifying and spreading to previously unaffected localities,” it added.
An RSSI Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF)—led by the SRA and composed of representatives from the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Plant Industry, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, as well as provincial and local government units—has been created to combat the spread of RSSI.
To support control efforts, the SRA requested an additional ₱10 million in financial assistance from the Department of Agriculture for pesticide procurement; however, this is still subject to the latter’s approval.
Through the SRA’s existing Quick Response to Pest Outbreak Project, the agency continues to distribute appropriate pesticide supplies through the Mill District Development Councils (MDDCs).
The agency has also strengthened regulatory measures through Sugar Order No. 6, Series of 2024–2025, establishing policies governing the movement of sugarcane plants, planting materials, and new varieties, as well as Memorandum Circular No. 9, Series of 2025, which provides guidelines for the issuance of permits to transport sugarcane planting materials.
To further mitigate and combat the spread of the RSSI, the SRA has outlined a comprehensive action plan focused on prevention, early detection, rapid response, and sustained farmer support.
It intends to intensify regular ocular surveys and field monitoring activities to promptly detect new infestations and assess pest population densities, the SRA said.
In addition to conventional control measures, the SRA commenced drone-assisted spraying operations in affected sugarcane areas, which kickstarted at Hda. Agho, Brgy. Camandag, La Castellana in Negros Occidental.
The initiative is expected to primarily benefit small sugarcane farmers by enabling faster, more efficient, and wider application of approved insecticides and biological control agents, particularly in areas where manual spraying may be difficult, labor-intensive, or less effective, the SRA said.
The use of drone technology is also expected to improve coverage, reduce application time, and support the timely implementation of pest management interventions aimed at preventing the further spread of RSSI infestation across Negros Island and other affected areas in the Visayas, it said.
Beyond pest control measures, the SRA’s action plan includes providing food packs and hygiene kits to affected farming communities to help alleviate the socio-economic impacts of the infestation.
SRA leaders and collaborating government agencies continue to urge farmers to immediately report suspected RSSI infestations to local agricultural offices and SRA personnel to ensure timely validation and intervention.*
The Red Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) infestation has entered an accelerated phase across the Visayas with affected areas having more than doubled to 4,847.63 hectares in six days, the Sugar Regulatory Administration reported on Thursday, June 18.
The RSSI has affected 2,587 farmers in 244 barangays across the Visayas as of June 11, the report said.
Substantial increases were observe in southern Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Iloilo, the SRA said.
It cited the emergence of new hotspots such as Mabinay in Negros Oriental, d Himamaylan and Binalbagan in Negros Occidental, and the first recorded case in Leyte.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Tuesday that he has ordered the mass production of a naturally occurring fungus that can suppress the pest before it inflicts more serious damage on the country’s sugar industry.
The SRA said one of its major innovations against RSSI has been the development and mass production of entomopathogenic fungi, naturally occurring beneficial microorganisms capable of infecting and controlling pest populations.
SRA researchers have produced and distributed these fungi while conducting hands-on training for farmers, associations, cooperatives, sugar mill personnel, and local government units on their production and application.
The SRA said carrying out a large-scale campaign promoting the use of these biological control agents through its Mill District Offices and partner LGUs across affected areas.
The increase in RSSI infestation to 2,595.05 hectares in six days is also due to its massive and intensified monitoring efforts and reporting mechanisms, the SRA said.
Southern Negros Occidental remains the epicenter of the outbreak, accounting for approximately half of the total infestation area, it said.
Negros Oriental experienced the fastest expansion rate, largely due to the sudden surge in Mabinay.
Iloilo continues to register new infestations and expansion across municipalities, the SRA report said.
The emergence of RSSI in Leyte signifies a potential inter-island spread that requires immediate surveillance and containment.
“ The sharp rise in affected farmers and barangays suggests that the infestation is rapidly intensifying and spreading to previously unaffected localities,” it added.
A RSSI Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) led by the SRA and composed composed of representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of the Interior and Local Government, as well as provincial and local government units has been created to combat the spread of RSSI.
To support control efforts, the SRA requested an additional P10 million in financial assistance from the Department of Agriculture for pesticide procurement, however, such is still subject for latter’s approval.
Through SRA’s existing Quick Response to Pest Outbreak Project, the agency continues to distribute appropriate pesticide supplies through the Mill District Development Councils(MDDCs).
The agency has also strengthened regulatory measures through Sugar Order No. 6, Series of 2024–2025, establishing policies governing the movement of sugarcane plants, planting materials, and new varieties, as well as Memorandum Circular No. 9, Series of 2025, which provides guidelines for the issuance of permits to transport sugarcane planting materials.
To further mitigate and combat the spread of the RSSI, the SRA has outlined a comprehensive action plan focused on prevention, early detection, rapid response, and sustained farmer support.
It intends to intensify regular ocular surveys and field monitoring activities to promptly detect new infestations and assess pest population densities, the SRA said.
In addition to conventional control measures, SRA commenced drone-assisted spraying
operations in affected sugarcane areas, which kickstarted at Hda. Agho, Brgy. Camandag, La Castellana in Negros Occidental.
The initiative is expected to primarily benefit small sugarcane farmers by enabling faster, more efficient, and wider application of approved insecticides and biological control agents, particularly in areas where manual spraying may be difficult, labor-intensive, or less effective, the SRA sad.
The use of drone technology is also expected to improve coverage, reduce application time, and support the timely implementation of pest management interventions aimed at preventing further spread of RSSI infestation across Negros Island and
other affected areas in the Visayas, it said.
Beyond pest control measures, SRA’s action plan includes providing food packs and hygiene kits to affected farming communities to help alleviate the socio-economic impacts of the infestation.
SRA leaders and collaborating government agencies continue to urge farmers to immediately report suspected RSSI infestations to local agricultural offices and SRA personnel to ensure timely validation and intervention.*
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