Negros Occidental declares state of calamity due to flooding and RSSI infestation

The provincial government of Negros Occidental has declared a state of calamity due to flooding caused by Tropical Storm Crising and an infestation of red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI), affecting sugarcane farms, officials announced on Friday.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson's office made the declaration after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved Resolution No. 0771-25 on Thursday, placing all 32 towns and cities in the province under the calamity status.

The twin crises have caused massive agricultural losses, endangering food security, employment, and economic stability in the province.

With the declaration, local governments can now access their Quick Response Fund for emergency relief and recovery operations; a price freeze on basic necessities has also been imposed to curb predatory pricing by businesses.

Flooding from July 17 to 20 killed six people and displaced over 22,000 residents in 18 towns and cities in southern Negros Occidental, causing crop and livestock losses estimated at P44.5 million.

The infestation of RSSI has affected 2,876 hectares of sugarcane farms across the province, impacting 1,574 planters with estimated losses reaching at least P350 million.