DSWD releases aid to over 53,000 sugar farmers, workers in Negros

BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed P553.89 million in financial assistance to 53,829 sugarcane farmers and farm workers affected by the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation across Negros Island as of Oct. 16.

DSWD Regional Director Arwin Razo said Monday that the beneficiaries included 48,001 sugarcane farmers and 5,828 farm laborers whose livelihoods were affected by the infestation.

Negros Occidental received the bulk of the assistance, with P429.02 million distributed to 41,552 beneficiaries, comprising 40,266 farmers and 1,286 laborers across its legislative districts.

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READ: Sugarcane pest attack widens; Negros worst hit

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In Bacolod City, an additional P29.12 million was released to 2,820 beneficiaries, including 1,232 farmers and 1,588 laborers.

Negros Occidental’s fifth district recorded the highest payout at P155.59 million, benefiting 15,069 farmers. La Castellana accounted for 4,781 beneficiaries, while Himamaylan City had 3,549.

The sixth district followed with P137.07 million distributed to 13,276 farmers, including 6,675 in Kabankalan City.

The third district received P65.64 million for 6,357 beneficiaries, including 1,254 plantation laborers in Victorias City and 32 in Talisay City.

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Other allocations in Negros Occidental included P23.73 million for 2,298 farmers in the first district; P25.24 million for 2,445 farmers in the second district; and P21.75 million for 2,107 farmers in the fourth district.

Meanwhile, Negros Oriental received P95.75 million in assistance for 9,457 beneficiaries, consisting of 6,503 farmers and 2,954 laborers.

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The province’s first district accounted for the largest share, receiving P48.74 million for 4,814 beneficiaries.

Of this amount, P46.46 million went to Canlaon City, benefiting 1,635 farmers and all 2,954 laborers covered by the assistance program in Negros Oriental.

The second district received P41.28 million for 4,077 farmers, including 2,607 in Mabinay and 839 in Bais City.

The third district received P5.73 million for 566 farmers in Bayawan City and the municipalities of Basay, Dauin, Santa Catalina, Siaton and Zamboanguita.

The financial assistance is intended to ease the economic burden on sugarcane farmers and workers whose livelihoods and crop production have been affected by the RSSI infestation and other agricultural disruptions.

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Razo said the DSWD continues to coordinate with local authorities to facilitate the distribution of assistance to sugarcane-growing communities that have yet to receive aid. /cb