Iloilo RSSI infestation spreads to 27 LGUs, hits 9,432 farmers

ILOILO CITY - The infestation of red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) in Iloilo province has affected nearly 10,000 hectares of sugarcane plantations, with more than 9,400 farmers in 27 of its 43 local government units now affected.Acting provincial agriculturist Geron Magbanua said the infestation had reached 9,908.57 hectares as of Sept. 3, affecting 9,432 sugarcane farmers across the province."Most of these towns have damage affecting no less than 30 percent of their sugarcane areas," Magbanua said on Monday."In short, if they have 1,000 hectares of plantation, more or less around 300 hectares are damaged."Passi City remained the worst-hit area based on the latest provincial assessment, Magbanua said.Passi City reported 3,337.85 hectares of affected sugarcane, prompting its Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) to declare a state of calamity in late August.The town of San Enrique followed with 1,400 hectares affected out of its 2,739 hectares of planted area.Due as and Anilao each…