Sagay City is intensifying its campaign against the Red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation as additional agricultural assistance from the national government is expected, alongside the distribution of more than 700 bottles of insecticide to affected sugarcane areas.
Updates and next steps were tackled during the recent RSSI Task Force Meeting held at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall, a report from Sagay City said Thursday, August 20.
Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Negros Occidental, 2nd District) thanked the barangays, local sugar industry, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), farmers, and other partners for sustaining coordinated efforts against the infestation.
He said he had met with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who committed additional assistance for Negros to help sugarcane communities respond to RSSI.
“We are expecting more implements and assistance to strengthen our fight against RSSI. I hope Sagay and the entire 2nd District will continue working together until we finally overcome this problem,” Marañon said.
The task force reviewed the latest infestation situation, insecticide and knapsack sprayer distribution, areas showing recovery, financial updates, and practices adopted by barangays in managing affected farms.
SRA representatives reported that more than 700 bottles of Solomon insecticide are being readied for distribution. The current application rate is one bottle per hectare, but a proposal to increase the dosage to two bottles per hectare was raised for further consideration.
Discussions also focused on the long-term effects and safety of chemical interventions.
Councilor Roldan Gamao asked whether continued chemical treatments could affect the quality or safety of harvested sugarcane products, particularly in terms of health and consumption. SRA representatives said the matter remains under study.*
Councilor Exequiel “Boy” Marañon proposed preparing biological interventions to complement chemical measures, offering a more sustainable approach to pest management. Councilor Dr. Mel Alexis Serondo likewise emphasized the need to determine whether the chemicals being used are safe for beneficial insects and other organisms that do not harm sugarcane.*
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