BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental provincial government, a major sugar producers’ group, and a sugar workers’ organization have opposed the proposed aerial spraying campaign against the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI), citing environmental, health, and cost concerns while advocating alternative pest control measures.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the provincial government will not support aerial chemical spraying in sugarcane plantations, opting instead for biological control methods to combat the growing RSSI infestation.
“We will not fund aerial spraying. We will go green and biological control only for the province’s approach in battling RSSI,” Lacson said.
The governor noted that many sugarcane plantations are located near residential communities, rice fields, poultry farms, and other agricultural areas, raising concerns that chemicals used in aerial spraying could affect nearby residents, livestock, and non-target crops.
Lacson issued the statement in response to a proposal by the United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED) to conduct large-scale aerial spraying using systemic insecticides to contain the pest before the start of the next milling season.
UNIFED earlier estimated the campaign would cost around P200 million to cover sugarcane plantations across Negros Island and warned that failure to contain the infestation could significantly reduce the country’s sugar production next year.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of Sugar Producers Association Inc. (CONFED) also opposed the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s (SRA) proposed aerial spraying program.
Citing reports, CONFED consultant and former Negros Occidental governor Rafael Coscolluela described aerial spraying as impractical and costly, saying the method lacks precision because the insecticide would likely reach only the upper portions of sugarcane plants.
He also raised concerns over the possible impact of chemical spraying on livestock and crops not affected by RSSI.
Instead, CONFED is advocating the use of knapsack sprayers, saying these allow for more targeted application of insecticides on infested sugarcane while minimizing chemical drift and wastage.
The group also urged the SRA to provide direct assistance to planters to strengthen pest management efforts at the farm level.
The National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry–Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (NACUSIP-TUCP) likewise opposed the proposed aerial spraying program, describing it as an inefficient use of government funds.
NACUSIP-TUCP National President Roland Dela Cruz said previous drone spraying operations had already shown that aerial application was ineffective in eliminating the red-striped soft scale insect, adding that using airplanes would be even less practical.
He urged the SRA to instead provide insecticides, financial assistance, and spraying equipment directly to farmers and planters rather than finance aerial spraying operations.
While recognizing the serious threat posed by RSSI to the sugar industry, the Negros Occidental provincial government maintained that biological control and targeted ground-based interventions remain the more effective, economical, and environmentally sustainable approach to managing the infestation./PN
