The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) has distributed ₱314.9 million in Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) assistance to small sugarcane farmers affected by the red-striped soft-scale insect (RSSI) infestation across Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. As of September 7, the assistance had reached 30,608 small sugarcane farmers, providing financial support to communities dealing with losses associated with the agricultural pest.
More Than ₱314 Million in Emergency Cash Assistance
According to the Philippine News Agency report, DSWD-NIR had distributed approximately ₱314.950 million through its emergency cash assistance program. The payouts are being conducted in different cities and municipalities across the Negros Island Region, with the program covering small sugarcane farmers with five hectares or less of affected sugarcane fields. The assistance is intended to provide direct financial support to farmers experiencing the effects of the RSSI infestation.
Dumaguete and Other Areas in Negros Oriental
Dumaguete is part of the wider Negros Oriental area covered by the continuing government response to the RSSI infestation. The PNA report noted that assistance was distributed to beneficiaries in several Negros Oriental areas, including Amlan, Bais City, Bayawan City, Canlaon City, Jimalalud, Mabinay, Pamplona, Siaton, and Zamboanguita.
While Dumaguete itself was not listed among the specific municipalities named in the report's beneficiary breakdown, the city is part of Negros Oriental and the broader Negros Island Region where government agencies are coordinating responses to the agricultural situation.
Assistance Reaches Thousands of Farmers
Of the total amount distributed, more than ₱250.4 million went to 25,222 beneficiaries in Negros Occidental. In Negros Oriental, around ₱54.5 million was distributed to 5,386 beneficiaries from the municipalities and cities identified in the report.
The distribution reflects the continuing rollout of emergency assistance to small sugarcane farmers affected by RSSI-related losses.
