ILOILO – With sugarcane plantations suffering an estimated P1.181 billion in damage and nearly 9,500 farmers affected, the Iloilo provincial government has declared a province-wide state of calamity to accelerate emergency interventions and unlock financial assistance for farmers devastated by the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) unanimously approved the declaration during its regular session on Thursday, October 15, following a recommendation from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
The declaration comes as the infestation continues to threaten Iloilo’s sugarcane industry, affecting 10,342 hectares of plantations and 9,491 farmers across 27 municipalities.
The provincial board, presided over by Vice Gov. Nathalie Ann Debuque, approved PDRRMC Resolution No. 13, Series of 2026, recommending that the entire province be placed under a state of calamity because of the widespread infestation.
The move is expected to facilitate the release of emergency funds, expedite agricultural interventions and enable more affected sugarcane farmers to qualify for financial assistance from the national government.
P15-M emergency response
The provincial government has earmarked P15 million from the office of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. for immediate measures to contain the infestation and help prevent further agricultural losses.
During deliberations, 4th District’s Board Member Rolando Distura pressed the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) to explain what concrete assistance farmers could expect following the calamity declaration.
Agriculturist II Aileen May Tanalgo said the P15-million allocation could be downloaded to affected municipalities to accelerate the procurement of chemicals and biological control agents needed to combat the destructive pest.
Allowing municipal governments to directly purchase these agricultural interventions is expected to shorten procurement procedures and hasten their deployment to affected plantations.
For longer-term measures, Tanalgo said the PAO is exploring the expansion of biological control laboratories and nurseries at the municipal level to strengthen local capabilities in managing pest infestations.
Such facilities could help provide a more sustainable response to agricultural pest outbreaks and reduce dependence on emergency interventions.
Thousands await cash assistance
Beyond containing the infestation, the provincial government’s calamity declaration is also intended to open access to financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias earlier explained that securing a province-wide calamity declaration was necessary to facilitate the extension of national government assistance to affected farmers.
During DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian’s visit to the Iloilo Provincial Capitol on October 5, the agency reportedly expressed readiness to provide financial assistance to sugarcane farmers, subject to the declaration of a state of calamity.
On the same day, Gatchalian visited Passi City to lead the distribution of financial assistance to 1,163 sugarcane farmers affected by the infestation.
Provincial officials expect other qualified farmers across Iloilo to receive similar assistance following the province-wide declaration.
The provincial government is also seeking additional support from public and private institutions to address the agricultural emergency.
Defensor has requested authority from the provincial board to accept donations and assistance from individuals, organizations, government agencies and other institutions for the benefit of farmers affected by the RSSI infestation, subject to existing laws and regulations.
Crisis spreads across Iloilo
The province-wide declaration follows earlier calamity declarations by three local government units — Passi City, San Enrique and Dueñas — where the infestation has already caused serious damage to sugarcane plantations.
The scale of the crisis, however, has extended far beyond these localities, prompting provincial authorities to adopt a coordinated response covering all affected municipalities.
With more than 10,000 hectares already affected, the infestation poses a serious threat to agricultural production and the livelihoods of thousands of farming households dependent on sugarcane cultivation.
The emergency measures will now test how quickly the provincial government can translate the calamity declaration into actual assistance, pest control interventions and protection against further losses./PN
