Negros Oriental under state of calamity amid RSSI infestation

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July 23, 2026 | 12:00am

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines —  Negros Oriental has been placed under a state of calamity due to the infestation of red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) on sugarcane plantations.

The declaration of a state of calamity was approved on Monday by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan based on the recommendations of the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council, according to Vice Gov. Cezanne Fritz Diaz.

Data from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) showed that  about 1,900 of the 48,901 hectares of sugarcane farms in the province have been destroyed by the pest.

The declaration of a state of calamity authorizes the provincial government to tap its quick response fund to assist sugarcane farmers displaced by the infestation and undertake pest containment operations.

An initial amount of P15 million has been allotted to address the problem.

The SRA said the infestation has affected more than 78,000 hectares of sugarcane plantations across Negros Island.

On June 30, the nearby province of Negros Occidental declared a state of calamity after the RSSI ravaged over 32 percent of the province’s sugarcane plantations.

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier said the provincial government ruled out aerial chemical spraying using large aircraft to eradicate the pest.

Lacson said the provincial government opted for biological and eco-friendly pest control methods due to public health and environmental concerns.

But he clarified that the refusal of the provincial government to fund the chemical spraying does not mean an outright ban on the initiative.

Lacson said he would leave it to city and municipal officials to decide which pest containment operation is best for their communities.

He said that entities wishing to finance aerial spraying may do so, provided they first secure the approval of the mayors.

In the meantime, Lacson said the provincial government will proceed with the biological control initiative.

He said that initial spraying of biological and eco-friendly pest control would start tomorrow in some areas in the province.

Earlier, the SRA said that although sustainable, the biological and eco-friendly pest control cannot stop the rapid spread of RSSI.