The government is racing to contain a fast-spreading sugarcane pest threatening the country’s sugar supply, deploying drones, chemical spraying,and financial aid across key producing areas to prevent wider crop losses.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said in a joint statement on Tuesday that they have intensified containment efforts after the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infested 93,898 hectares of sugarcane plantations this crop year, with nearly all affected areas in Negros Island and Western Visayas, the country’s main sugar-producing regions.

The DA has allocated P35 million for chemicals and drone-assisted spraying, initially covering 25,000 hectares, with plans to expand operations to 40,000-45,000 hectares if the infestation worsens.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the government is moving swiftly to protect the industry.

“This is about protecting an industry that supports thousands of farmers, workers, and their families," Tiu Laurel said. "Every hectare we save means protecting livelihoods, preserving sugar production, and keeping one of the country's most important agricultural industries strong. We intend to act quickly, decisively, and in close partnership with local governments."

The DA and the Department of Social Welfare and Development will also provide P10,000 in cash assistance to each validated affected farmer. More than 12,300 farmers have already qualified, with the government seeking funds to expand the program to 20,000 beneficiaries.

RSSI is an invasive sap-sucking pest that reduces cane yield and sugar content by feeding on plant sap and promoting black sooty mold that blocks photosynthesis.

To accelerate spraying operations, Universal Leaf Philippines is providing drones, while the Philippine Air Force will transport chemicals using a C-130 aircraft. The DA is also redeploying spray cannon trucks to affected areas.

While the SRA has developed biological control agents using beneficial fungi, officials said production remains too limited for large-scale deployment. For now, the government will rely on chemical spraying while expanding biocontrol capacity.

Beyond the emergency response, the DA and SRA are preparing long-term measures, including faster fund releases to local governments and cooperatives, expanded biological control production, and stronger surveillance.

SRA Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Pablo Luis Azcona said swift containment is crucial to protecting both producers and consumers.

"Our objective is to minimize crop losses, stabilize sugar production, and prevent unnecessary disruptions in supply," Azcona said. "The faster we do this, the better we can protect farmers' incomes, sustain milling operations, and help keep sugar prices stable for consumers."

The SRA has also expanded surveillance through an inter-agency task force, a geotagging system for real-time reporting, and a partnership with a Japanese technology firm that will begin early RSSI detection work in Negros in August.