The Department of Social Welfare and Development – Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) has released more than PHP601.4 million in emergency cash assistance to more than 50,000 small sugarcane farmers and laborers affected by the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation across the region.

DSWD-NIR Director Arwin Razo told the Philippine News Agency in an interview on Thursday that consolidated data as of Oct. 21 showed that most cities and municipalities in the region had already been covered by assistance distribution under the government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT).

“We are doing our best to release the cash assistance to qualified beneficiaries to help them cope with the economic impacts of the RSSI attacks on sugar fields across the region,” Razo said.

DSWD-NIR records showed that the beneficiaries included 42,296 farmers and 2,381 laborers in Negros Occidental; 7,383 farmers and 3,588 laborers in Negros Oriental; and 1,232 farmers and 1,588 laborers in Bacolod City.

In Negros Oriental, the distribution covered Canlaon City, Bais City, and Bayawan City, as well as the municipalities of Ayungon, Jimalalud, Manjuyod, Tayasan, Amlan, Mabinay, Pamplona, Basay, Dauin, Santa Catalina, Siaton, and Zamboanguita.

In Negros Occidental, beneficiaries were served in the cities of Escalante, San Carlos, Cadiz, Sagay, Silay, Talisay, Victorias, La Carlota, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, and Sipalay, and in the towns of Calatrava, Don Salvador Benedicto, Manapla, Murcia, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Binalbagan, Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Cauayan, Hinoba-an, and Ilog.

Razo said the agency aims to complete the distribution of UPLIFT disaster assistance by year-end to help qualified farmers and laborers recover from the infestation’s economic effects.

The UPLIFT program is a government initiative that supports poor and near-poor households, disaster-affected communities, and vulnerable sectors amid economic and energy-related challenges. (PNA)