The United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED) on Saturday, August 29, thanked the national government for its timely assistance to sugar farmers who were affected by the Red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) infestation
UNIFED President Manuel Lamata said he personally sent a message of thanks to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza for giving importance to the sugar industry.
“Their continued support to the industry is laudable despite the incessant criticisms from some sectors,” Lamata said.
UNIFED also thanked Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Sugar Regulatory Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona and the board for “facilitating the release of the ayuda to the small farmers hit by the RSSI infestation.”
Contrary to what others are claiming that SRA has been negligent in addressing the RSSI, “we are thankful that as early as March 2025 when it was first noticed in Negros, SRA immediately sought the assistance of the DA and the provincial government that led to the creation of the first task force, Lamata said.
The series of fora conducted by SRA, at times in coordination with the province, has led to some of our planters investing much in early intervention after they got hit by RSSI last year, he added.
“We, in UNIFED, are happy that finally the local government units have taken interest in the problem and we are confident that if we all work together, we can minimize the effects of this pest”, he said.
“Our national government has downloaded already P235 million in Negros Island alone, much higher than the P200 million we initially asked for”, Lamata said.
“We are happy that the DA has already committed to set aside P300 million for the RSSI and we in UNIFED, along with allied federations, vow to continue supporting the programs of the DA and SRA and the national government in general,” he added.*
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