The Iloilo Provincial Government has officially declared a state of calamity following a severe infestation of the Red-Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) that has devastated local crops, causing an estimated P1.1 billion in agricultural damage.
The declaration, recommended by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), was approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Thursday, Oct. 15.
The move came after three heavily impacted local government units separately declared their own states of calamity: Passi City, which reported a staggering 99% infestation rate; Dueñas, at 98%; and San Enrique, at 58%.
The province-wide declaration will allow local authorities to tap into emergency response funds and expedite assistance to affected agricultural workers and farmers across the province.IMT
