DUMAGUETE CITY, July 16 -- The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is urging local government units (LGUs) across Negros Island to help validate the extent of the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation, noting that additional manpower is needed to assess the scope of the pest outbreak.

Mikko Libo-on, an Agriculturist II at the SRA, said on Thursday that the agency's limited staff have slowed validation efforts, raising the possibility that the actual affected area is larger than the currently confirmed figures.

"The figures may be higher as the SRA has limitations in the validation due to a lack of manpower," Libo-on said in an interview.

He said that SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona has appealed to LGUs to mobilize thei...