The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) on Monday said it has granted PHP400 million worth of cash assistance to sugar farmers and workers affected by the spread of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI).
The agency earlier reported that RSSI infestation may potentially reduce the sugar content of infested canes by almost 50 percent.
In an interview, SRA Administrator Luis Pablo Azcona said these have been distributed to registered farmers under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).
“Actually, through the effort of the DA and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, we’ve released, I think, more than PHP400 million of ayuda (aid) for farmers and workers,” he said.
Each registered beneficiary received about PHP10,300 in cash aid since its rollout started in July.
About 20,000 farmers and 20,000 workers are eligible for the said cash aid, particularly in sugarcane-producing areas.
These include Tuguegarao, Isabela, Pampanga, Tarlac, Batangas, Bicol, Cebu, Negros Island Region, Bukidnon, Davao and Cotabato, among others.
Task force vs sugar pests, disasters
The SRA on Monday said it is seeking to form a National Task Force for Sugar Industry Pest and Disaster Management.
The SRA has finalized its draft proposal for the creation of the said NTF through an Executive Order on Sept. 22.
In an interview, SRA Administrator Luis Pablo Azcona said the formulation of the Task Force seeks to consolidate all necessary data, as well as unify government response and programs for the local sugar industry nationwide.
“To end all the confusion— we needed a National Task Force at hindi lang dito sa (it will not be limited to) RSSI, and it will be formally named the National Task Force for Sugar Pests and Disasters,” he said.
The SRA chief said the proposal is still in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. following consultations with stakeholders through discussions with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and several lawmakers.
In particular, the NTF for Sugar Pests and Disasters will lead strategic planning and response, pest mitigation and containment, as well as provide technology and expertise, covering advanced tools such as drones, artificial intelligence, and remote sensing.
Azcona stressed that the timing is crucial, considering the need to manage red-striped soft scale insects and prepare for the effects of the “very strong” El Niño.
“We’re very hopeful that the DA and the OP, the Office of the President, put action into it right away so that before the onset of El Niño, we will already have an action plan,” he said.
“Tatama si Super El Niño (The Super El Niño will hit), we’re coming from another drought. So, that is another urgent concern. So, we’re trying our best to get small-scale irrigation equipment to farmers. So, the task force is very urgent.”
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., meanwhile, told the Philippine News Agency they have submitted the draft proposal to the Office of the President.
He also expressed hopes to have it approved within the fourth quarter of the year.
To date, Azcona said they are now finalizing the guidelines to have it implemented immediately after the EO’s issuance.
Under the proposed measure, the Task Force will be chaired by the Department of Agriculture, while the SRA will function as the vice chair.
Other proposed member agencies include the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Labor and Employment and Bureau of Fire Protection, among others.
Representatives from the sugar industry groups will also be included, such as Philippine Sugar Technologists Association Inc., Philippine Sugar Millers Associatio Inc., Philippine Association of Sugar Refiners Inc., Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Organizations and farmer and miller representatives. (PNA)
