Sugar stakeholders agree to form panel vs RSSI infestation

Sugar industry stakeholders in the Philippines have formed a national ad hoc committee to address the growing threat posed by the Red Striped Soft Shell Insect (RSSI), a pest currently infesting sugarcane crops across the country. The initiative came following a meeting convened by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos in Bacolod City on August 14, where representatives from various sectors of the sugar industry gathered to discuss coordinated responses to the crisis. The newly established committee aims to implement a comprehensive strategy involving multiple government agencies, local authorities, and Congress to manage the outbreak effectively. The RSSI infestation has already impacted hundreds of thousands of sugar farmers, workers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). According to Roland de la Cruz, president of the National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines (NACUSIP), the situation demands a unified effort from all relevant parties. De la Cruz emphasized that the committee will focus on strengthening diagnostic capabilities, ensuring timely and transparent interventions, and adopting a whole-of-government approach to tackle the problem. The proposed committee will work closely with the Department of Agriculture, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), and other governmental bodies to coordinate both scientific research and practical field interventions. It will also aim to enhance early detection systems and rapid response mechanisms to contain the spread of the pest. Additionally, the group plans to improve accountability within existing assistance programs and push for necessary legislative reforms to better support the sugar industry. Elisama Gregorio, chairperson of the NACUSIP Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Council, highlighted the urgent need for clear, science-based guidelines from the SRA regarding RSSI management. She pointed out that in the absence of such directives, many farmers have turned to social media for advice on pesticide application, quarantine procedures, and containment strategies. Gregorio expressed concern over the reliance on unverified online information, stating that it is inappropriate given the severity of the infestation. Anthony John Demisana, general secretary of the ARB Council, criticized the SRA for its limited engagement with grassroots communities when distributing essential agricultural resources. He noted that some machinery and fertilizers were delivered to areas unsuitable for their intended use, leading to inefficiencies and further hardship for farmers. Demisana stressed the importance of aligning resource distribution with actual field conditions to prevent waste and reduce suffering among affected communities. Stakeholders have also called for financial relief measures, including grant-based assistance, temporary suspension of loan repayments, and forgiveness of penalties and interest for those affected by the RSSI infestation and declining sugar prices. Benjie de la Cruz, executive vice president of the Congress of Independent Organizations-CIO UNI, advocated for a moratorium on loan payments and the cancellation of penalties and interest for affected farmers, ARBs, cooperatives, and associations. Deputy Speaker Albee Benitez urged the Land Bank of the Philippines to offer grants rather than additional loans to help farmers recover from the crisis. He argued that grants would enable affected individuals to regain stability and continue production without the added burden of debt. De la Cruz also emphasized the need for greater inclusion of workers, farmers, and ARBs in the Sugar Board, citing the current lack of representation despite ARB farms contributing approximately 80% of the nation's sugar output. The proposed T.U.B.O. Bill, introduced by Representative Javier Miguel Benitez and Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito Mendoza, seeks to expand the composition of the Sugar Board to include more voices from the ground level. This move reflects the growing recognition of the importance of inclusive governance in addressing challenges faced by the sugar sector. Industry representatives welcomed First Lady Marcos' initiative to engage directly with stakeholders on the RSSI issue, acknowledging her efforts to bring attention to the plight of sugar producers and workers. As the committee moves forward, its success will depend on effective collaboration between government agencies, local leaders, and the affected communities to develop and implement sustainable solutions against the RSSI infestation.