Passi City has declared a state of calamity following the widespread infestation of red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI), which has severely affected the local sugarcane industry and placed farmers at risk of further losses.
The declaration was made following the passage of City Council Resolution No. 2026-179, citing the significant impact of the pest infestation on sugarcane production and the livelihood of affected farmers.
The city government said it is strengthening coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Iloilo Provincial Government, and other concerned agencies to intensify monitoring, containment, and response measures against the infestation.
Local officials said the state of calamity will allow the city to strengthen interventions and mobilize support for affected farmers as authorities work to prevent the infestation from spreading further.
The city government also emphasized the need for sustained collaboration among national agencies, the provincial government, and local stakeholders to protect Passi’s sugarcane industry and the livelihoods dependent on it.IMT
