Passi City declares calamity status over spreading pest infestation

ILOILO CITY — Local officials in Passi City declared a state of calamity on Friday in response to the escalating threat posed by red-striped soft scale insects, or RSSI, which have been ravaging sugarcane plantations throughout the province.

The infestation has spread rapidly across major sugarcane-producing areas of the Philippines, prompting multiple local government units to implement emergency protocols. Passi City's declaration follows similar measures taken in other affected regions, including areas in Negros, as authorities scramble to contain the pest's expansion.

Red-striped soft scale insects have emerged as a significant agricultural threat, targeting sugarcane crops that form a vital component of the country's agricultural economy. The pest's capacity to spread across wide geographic areas has alarmed farming communities and government agencies alike.

The calamity declaration enables local governments to access emergency funds and implement coordinated pest management strategies. Agricultural authorities have been monitoring the situation closely and are working with affected communities to develop control measures and limit further crop damage.

Farmers and industry stakeholders are urged to report new infestations immediately to facilitate rapid response efforts in containing the pest's spread.