The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is strictly implementing guidelines requiring permits in the transport of sugarcane plants or planting materials as part of precautionary measures to curb the spread of the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI).
An update from the office of Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona on Friday, August 29, said the SRA is closely coordinating with the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) quarantine services unit in enforcing the requirement.
“Applications are being received and some have been declined. A shipment bound for Mindanao has been intercepted. The SRA has mobilized quarantine personnel to help,” it added.
Memorandum Circular 9, series of 2025 released earlier this month outlines the implementing guidelines of Sugar Order 6, which prohibits the transport of sugarcane plants or planting materials from areas under quarantine due to pest infestation or deadly/destructive diseases.
“No sugarcane plants or planting materials shall be transported outside of (these) barangays, municipalities or provinces whether for commercial or research purposes, except when supported by a permit to transport duly issued by the SRA,” the directive said.
Transport will only be allowed once appropriate preventive measures, such as washing and spraying of proper chemicals, have been instituted, it added.
The application form and required documents can be submitted through an online link or emailed to the SRA.
The SRA, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, BPI, and other relevant agencies of government underscored the need “to establish, implement, and enforce specific and more effective bio-security measures, especially now that there is a need for new, more productive, more climatic and environmentally resilient sugarcane varieties.”
“The RSSI attacks sugarcane leaves and reduces sugar content by about 50 percent, and if not contained, it may wipe out the sugar industry not just in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Panay but eventually in the rest of the country,” it said.
Latest data from SRA-Visayas showed the infestation has already affected 3,656.69 hectares of sugarcane areas.
Negros Occidental recorded 3,509.83 hectares of infested sugarcane fields in 24 cities and municipalities, affecting 1,913 farmers in 162 barangays.*PNA