Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) stressed the need to set aside politics and adopt a science and evidence-based whole-of-community approach to address the Red-Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) destruction of 30 to 40 percent of local sugarcane crops.
Benitez convened the Metro Third Sugar Industry Stakeholders’ Meeting on RSSI at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, August 2, to establish a district-wide comprehensive operational framework to contain and manage the RSSI infestation.
The meeting gathered participants from government agencies, local government units, sugar mills, planters, farmers’ associations, barangay officials, researchers, and technical experts to draft an urgent and collective plan aimed at protecting sugarcane farms, sustaining planters’ livelihoods, and strengthening the resilience of the local sugar industry.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) reported that RSSI has affected 61,382 hectares, or 32.25 percent, of sugarcane lands in Negros Occidental, with 10,785 hectares located in the Third District of the province.
Benitez stressed the need to gather accurate and precise data, which is why they tapped the help of barangay officials to properly address the RSSI problem.
He noted that chemical pesticides may be needed to address heavily infested areas before adopting natural solutions through drone and manual spraying.
While the meeting was convened to address the RSSI problem specifically in the Third District, Benitez said they are more than willing to share whatever best practices they adopt with other areas.
Speakers at the stakeholders’ meeting included Dee Arr Paglumotan, OIC-Chief Agriculturist at the Sugar Regulatory Administration – Extension Service Division Visayas, who presented the current RSSI field data, and Engr. Colen Ocalinas from the Provincial Biosecurity Task Force for Agriculture, who discussed the provincial response and ongoing mitigation efforts.
Dr. Michelle Guerrero of the University of the Philippines Crop Protection Center explained the biology, identification, and key factors driving RSSI outbreaks.
Randolph Candano, University Researcher II at the UPLB National Crop Protection Center, detailed strategic chemical interventions, while Andres T. Untal, a registered professional forester, advocated for a Biosphere Approach focusing on landscape ecosystem management for sustainable pest control.
Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez, PHILSURIN Director General Gina Martin, former SRA administrator Rafael Coscolluela and Department of Agriculture Regional Director Jose Albert Barrogo (l-r)* Ronnie Baldonado photos
Gina Martin, PHILSURIN Director General, said in an interview that the Metro Third District RSSI Management organizational structure will be bed by Benitez with PHILSURIN as the technical and scientific partner.
To control pest outbreaks and restore ecological health across sugarcane fields, the district has set six core goals: establishing district-wide RSSI surveillance through a centralized digital tracking system for early detection and coordinated response; completing comprehensive GIS mapping using drone surveys and GPS validation to identify infestation hotspots;
Carrying out biological landscape restoration through floral borders, vegetation corridors, and soil health enhancement; reducing chemical dependence by transitioning toward targeted biological interventions;
Boosting beneficial insect populations like ladybugs, predators, and parasitoids while applying biological control agents like Metarhizium anisopliae fungi; and institutionalizing a Biosphere Landscape Ecosystem Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program across all participating municipal and city LGUs.
To ensure seamless coordination, a District Operations Center will be set up at the Office of the Congressman.
This central command hub will analyze incoming field observations, issue real-time alerts, deploy technical support, and manage resources alongside technical experts from PHILSURIN and national agencies, Martin said.
Through structured mapping, continuous monitoring, and community-driven action, the Metro Third District aims to safeguard local farm yields, protect farmer livelihoods, and build a resilient, sustainable future for the sugar industry.
Meanwhile, Benitez said the House Committee on Agriculture is set to hold another hearing on the proposed amendments to the Sugar Industry Development Act (SIDA) to make it more relevant to current needs on Tuesday.
“We want to get to a point where our sugar industry is modernized, efficient, and globally competitive,” Benitez said.*
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