Negros occidental: Sugar mills in Negros Occidental have commenced accepting sugarcane as the crop year 2025-2026 officially kicks off, despite ongoing challenges from the red-striped soft-scale insect (RSSI) infestation affecting plantations in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona stated that the milling season, which traditionally starts on October 1, was advanced to the nearest Monday, September 29, to complete the transition back to a late-year commencement. Azcona explained that the start date had been gradually shifted over the past three years, aligning milling operations closer to the end of the calendar year.
Several sugar mills have already begun operations. URC La Carlota initiated cane acceptance at its mill site in La Carlota City on September 27, with transloading stations following suit on September 29. Similarly, the Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Co. (Biscom) Inc. in Binalbagan town started accepting canes on September 27 and is scheduled to begin milling on September 30. In Talisay City, the First Farmers Holding Corp. began accepting canes at transloading stations on September 27 and at the mill site on September 28. The Victorias Milling Company Inc. in Victorias City also started receiving canes on September 27. Meanwhile, the Hawaiian-Philippine Company in Silay City reported it had commenced cane acceptance at both the mill site and transloading stations on September 29.
The sugar mills have announced that milling operations will begin once a sufficient supply of cane is available. Azcona has urged sugar farmers to remain vigilant and collaborate with the SRA to prevent the spread of the RSSI infestation, which poses a significant threat to sugar production in Negros and Panay by potentially reducing the sugar content of affected canes by nearly 50 percent.