Relief Efforts Underway. In the wake of Mt. Kanlaon’s explosive eruption on Monday, December 9, 2024, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has pledged support for the affected sugarcane farmers in Negros Occidental. The eruption led to significant ashfall, impacting the region’s sugarcane fields.
MANILA – The SRA announced on Tuesday that it will provide assistance to farmers affected by the volcanic activity. SRA Administrator Luis Pablo Azcona revealed that the agency will redirect funds originally allocated for Christmas celebrations, following the guidance of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to prioritize disaster relief over festive spending.
Azcona confirmed that the SRA has already saved at least PHP700,000 from these celebrations, which will now be used to aid the farmers. Additionally, the agency plans to tap into its corporate social responsibility (CSR) fund, which amounts to PHP2 million, to further support the relief efforts.
The SRA’s relief package includes the distribution of essential supplies such as drinking water, rice, small food items, and hygiene kits to the affected farmers and their families.
Continuous Monitoring
The SRA is committed to closely monitoring the impact of the eruption and ashfall on sugarcane production. Azcona highlighted that La Carlota in Central Negros, a major sugarcane area, was particularly affected by the ashfall. This region hosts one of the largest sugar mills and has the highest number of sugar farmer associations in the country.
Azcona explained that the volcanic ash’s acidity could be detrimental to sugarcane if it remains on the leaves, causing them to burn and accelerating the cane’s maturity. This premature ripening can lead to the conversion of sugar into vinegar, adversely affecting the crop’s quality.
While the SRA has not yet released a full assessment of the damage, Azcona advised farmers to use previously distributed irrigation pumps to wash off the ash from their sugarcane, provided their water sources remain uncontaminated.