24/09/2025
𝗦𝗥𝗔 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘀 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗦𝗦𝗜
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental — Aimed to strengthen collaboration and address the rising threat of the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI), a destructive pest infesting sugarcane farms, the Research, Development and Extension (RDE) Department of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) held a coordination meeting and technical discussion with the provincial and local government unit officials of Negros Oriental led by Governor Chaco Sagarbarria, on September 16 (Tuesday) at the Legislative Building of the Negros Oriental provincial government.
The SRA delegation was headed by Dr. Ma. Lourdes C. Almodiente, OIC-Deputy Administrator of RDE, and Helen B. Lobaton, Manager III of RDE-Visayas, who outlined the agency’s interventions and ongoing programs aimed at curbing the RSSI outbreak. SRA emphasized the importance of joint efforts between government institutions and the local sugar industry stakeholders in preventing major economic losses in one of the country’s top sugar-producing regions.
Mr. Aljun Perez, Science Research Specialist II and resident Entomologist of the SRA-La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center (LGAREC), delivered a technical presentation on RSSI, explaining its biology, mode of infestation, and recommended management practices. Complementing the discussion, Mr. Mikko Libo-on, Agriculturist I of the RDE, reported the current infestation status in the Visayas as of September 11, 2025, and stressed the need for proactive interventions in Negros Oriental to prevent further spread.
During the meeting, SRA recommended key cultural and strategic control measures, including: (1) detrashing of old and infested leaves, (2) strict weed management to eliminate alternate hosts, and (3) judicious insecticide application in areas of high infestation. The agency reiterated that under integrated pest management (IPM), chemical control should only be considered as a last resort, noting the growing concern over pesticide resistance.
In pursuit of more sustainable solutions, SRA-LGAREC researchers are currently conducting field trials using beneficial fungi as a biological control agent against RSSI. Once the trials to be proven successful, the fungus will be mass-produced and distributed free of charge to sugarcane farmers, planters’ associations, and even sugar mills, and to all stakeholders affected by the RSSI. This initiative aims to empower communities with eco-friendly and cost-effective tools in combating the pest.
Governor Sagarbarria expressed the provincial government’s support for the collaborative efforts, recognizing sugarcane as a vital driver of livelihood and local economy in Negros Oriental. He assured that the province will actively work with SRA in implementing pest management strategies and mobilizing resources to safeguard the sugar industry.
Also in attendance were: Ma. Theresa Alejandrino, Supervising Science Research Specialist and Mr. Mark Gil Ariola, Science Research Specialist I, both from the Variety Improvement and Pest Management Section of SRA-LGAREC; Mr. Julian Geolingo, Supervising Agriculturist of South Negros and Negros Oriental SRA-Mill Districts, Ms. Anabelle Guarin, Senior Agriculturist of Tolong Mill District, and Mr. Alfe Dulla, Senior Agriculturist of the Bais-URSUMCO Mill District.
The coordination meeting concluded with both parties affirming their commitment to intensify surveillance, capacity-building, and farmer education programs on pest prevention and management. SRA emphasized that long-term sustainability in the sugar industry depends not only on research and innovations but also on the collective action of farmers, local government units, and national agencies.
With the RSSI threat looming, SRA’s strengthened partnership with Negros Oriental marks a crucial step in protecting the resilience of the region and country’s sugarcane sector.
Photo credits : Provincial Government of Negros Oriental
