THE Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said on Monday that it has sought emergency powers to contain a pest infestation on Negros island, which accounts for 60% of Philippine sugar production.
The spread of Red-Striped Soft Scale Insects (RSSI) in Negros that was declared an infestation on May 22 is now considered “alarming,” warranting the emergency powers bid.
The SRA said it wants to deploy P1.5 million for pesticides purchases pending assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The SRA wants emergency powers to fast-track procurement and distribution of pesticides “given the strict regulations of the Commission on Audit regarding procurement.”
RSSI was first detected in late March in northern Negros Occidental. It has since spread to over 424.82 hectares of sugarland as of May 30.
RSSI has the potential to reduce sugar yields by nearly 50%.
The SRA said it has sought the help of other government agencies including the DA, Bureau of Plant and Industry, the provincial government of Negros Occidental and affected local government units.
The National Crop Protection Center at the University of the Philippines Los Baños has identified at least five insecticides with the potential to curb the infestation — buprofezin, dinotefuran, phenthoate, pymetrozine, and thiamethoxam.
The use of the pesticides in sugar farms is subject to the issuance of an emergency-use permit by the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority.
The SRA said in late May that it has applied for the permit. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza