Provincial Soils & Water Laboratory Sultan Kudarat

09/09/2026

POLICY FORUM ON BIIOFERTILIZER-BASED SUSTAINABLE SOIL MANAGEMENT (SSM)

09/09/2026

𝗕𝗜𝗢𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗟 𝗦𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚, 𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗪𝗔 𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗔 𝟭𝟮 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗔 𝗦𝗔 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗧𝗔𝗦 𝗡𝗔 𝗦𝗨𝗚𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗬

| Isinagawa ngayong September 8, 2026 sa Columbio, Sultan Kudarat ang ceremonial spraying ng biological control agents upang matugunan ang patuloy na infestation ng Red Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) sa mga taniman ng tubo.

Layunin ng naturang aktibidad na mapigilan ang pagkalat ng RSSI, mabawasan ang pinsalang dulot nito, at maprotektahan ang produksyon at kabuhayan ng mga sugarcane farmers sa lugar.

Pinangunahan ng DA-RFO XII ang agarang pagtugon, sa tulong ng Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Office of the Provincial Agriculturist-Sultan Kudarat (OPAG-SK) at Office of the Municipal Agriculturist of Columbio (OMAG-Columbio), para sa maagap na pagpapatupad ng pest management intervention.

“Hindi lamang ito tungkol sa pagkontrol sa peste, kundi sa pagpigil sa patuloy nitong pagkalat at pagprotekta sa kabuhayan ng ating sugarcane farmers,” ani Dr. Neil C. Doton, Chief ng Regulatory Division.

Dagdag niya, mahalaga ang maagap na monitoring, tamang pest management practices, at koordinasyon ng lahat ng concerned stakeholders upang maging epektibo ang ating intervention laban sa RSSI.

Sa pamamagitan ng pagtutulungan ng DA-RFO XII, SRA, OPAG-SK, OMAG-Columbio, at mga sugarcane farmers, patuloy na isinusulong ang sama-samang pagkilos upang mapangalagaan ang sugarcane industry at kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka sa SOCCSKSARGEN.

via Nick Paul Agapay

09/09/2026

🐛 𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡: Red-Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) sa Tubo!

Ang 𝗥𝗦𝗦𝗜 (𝗣𝘂𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗮) ay isang 𝗽𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝘂𝗯𝗼 (𝘀𝘂𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗲) na sinisipsip ang katas ng halaman at nagdudulot ng 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗹𝗱. Humahadlang ito sa photosynthesis at 𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗮𝗮𝘀, 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁, 𝗮𝘁 𝗸𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗱 𝗻𝗴 𝗷𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗲 (𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘅, 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲, 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆) ng tubo.

⚠️ Nakakapanganib ito dahil kayang magparami kahit walang lalaki (parthenogenetic), buhay na 𝟲𝟯 𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘄 (itlog hanggang kamatayan) at may kakayahang mag-produce ng ~𝟭𝟵𝟳 𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗼𝗴 kada babaeng scale.

✅ 𝗣𝗮𝗮𝗻𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗸𝘁𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗻:

1. 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗻𝗮 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗸𝘀𝘆𝗼𝗻, lalo na sa ilalim ng mga dahon
2. 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗻𝘂𝗴𝗶𝗻 ang mga apektadong bahagi ng tanim
3. 𝗜𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀
4. 𝗜-𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 (may mga na-test na tulad ng Carbofuran, Bufprofezin)

May nakita kang RSSI sa inyong taniman? I-report agad

08/09/2026

𝗗𝗔-𝗥𝗙𝗢 𝗫𝗜𝗜 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗗-𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗢𝗙𝗧 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗜𝗢, 𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗔𝗡 𝗞𝗨𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗧

In response to the current infestation of Red-Stripped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) in sugarcane areas in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office XII , through its concerned offices and partner agencies, conducted a biological control spraying operation on September 8, 2026, at Upper Lomoyon, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat.

The intervention aims to immediately reduce the RSSI population, contain its spread, and prevent further damage to sugarcane production. Approximately 80 hectares of infested sugarcane areas are targeted for spraying as part of the coordinated biological control intervention. The OPVET Sultan Kudarat disinfection tank was utilized to facilitate the spraying operation in the affected areas.

According to RCPC Chief 𝐃𝐫. 𝐑𝐚𝐲 𝐑𝐨𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐳, “𝑀𝑎ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑔𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑛𝑎 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑝 𝑛𝑎 𝑝𝑎𝑔𝑘𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑙 𝑠𝑎 𝑅𝑒𝑑-𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑑 𝑆𝑜𝑓𝑡 𝑆𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝐼𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑢𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑤𝑎𝑠𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑎𝑔𝑑𝑎𝑚𝑖 𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑎𝑔𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑎 𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑘𝑠𝑦𝑜𝑛. 𝑆𝑎 𝑝𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑔𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑝𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑠, 𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑎𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑦𝑜𝑛 𝑛𝑔 𝑅𝑆𝑆𝐼 𝑎𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑠𝑜𝑔 𝑎𝑡 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑘𝑡𝑖𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑔𝑎 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑢𝑏𝑜.”

The DA-RFO XII Regulatory Division, headed by 𝐃𝐫. 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐥 𝐃𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐧, has further intensified pest surveillance and monitoring activities for RSSI in sugarcane-producing areas. Strict monitoring of the movement and transport of sugarcane planting materials is also being implemented to minimize the risk of further spread of the infestation to other areas.

The Integrated Laboratories Division (ILD) Chief, 𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧, also expressed support for the biological control spraying activities in both infested and non-infested areas as part of the broader effort to manage and contain RSSI.

The activity underscores the importance of strong inter-agency coordination among the 𝐃𝐀-𝐑𝐅𝐎 𝐗𝐈𝐈 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧–𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 (𝐈𝐋𝐃-𝐑𝐂𝐏𝐂), 𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐒𝐑𝐀), 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐨.

Through science-based interventions, strengthened surveillance, and sustained collaboration among concerned agencies and local government units, DA-RFO XII continues to work toward protecting sugarcane production, safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods, and containing the spread of RSSI in affected areas.

08/09/2026

𝗢𝗣𝗔𝗚-𝗦𝗞 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗗-𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗣𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗢𝗙𝗧 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗜𝗢, 𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗔𝗡 𝗞𝗨𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗧

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭 (𝐎𝐏𝐀𝐆-𝐒𝐊) spearheaded a joint field application of a liquid biological control agent against the Red-Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) in Upper Lomoyon, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat today, September 8, 2026. This intervention is a vital component of the province's ongoing mitigation efforts against the RSSI infestation in sugarcane, focusing heavily on Columbio as the primary ground zero where this agricultural pest was first detected.

To maximize the efficiency of the spraying operations, the team deployed the specialized mobile disinfection unit from the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVet-SK) to facilitate the large-scale application. The Regional Crop Protection Center XII (RCPC-XII) provided the essential Beauveria bassiana liquid biological control agent (BCA) utilized to safeguard approximately 80 hectares of affected sugarcane plantation.

Under the dynamic leadership of 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐮 𝐏𝐚𝐱 𝐀𝐥𝐢 𝐒. 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐮, this initiative was led by Provincial Agriculturist 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝐆𝐨𝐧𝐳𝐚𝐠𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐠, together with Provincial HVCDP Coordinator and Supervising Agriculturist 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧 𝐆. 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐢, and Provincial Soils & Water Laboratory (PSWL-SK) Officer 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐕. 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐚.

This successful collaborative field operation was made possible through the unified efforts of various partner agencies, including 𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐆 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐨, 𝐈𝐋𝐃-𝐑𝐂𝐏𝐂 𝐗𝐈𝐈, 𝐃𝐀-𝐑𝐅𝐎 𝐗𝐈𝐈 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐒𝐑𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨., 𝐈𝐧𝐜. Together, these organizations continue to strengthen defense lines, protecting local sugarcane farmers and safeguarding the agricultural economy from further pest damage.

13/08/2026

Highest Recorded Heat Index and 2-day Forecast for Mindanao PAGASA Regional Services Division

13/08/2026

DOST-PAGASA Mindanao Computed Heat Index Values per station as of 12 PM, August 13, 2026. - Amended.

08/08/2026

#𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐲𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐲𝐨 | Average Daily Price Index of Agricultural Commodities in SOCCSKSARGEN Region (August 8, 2026).

📍𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙:
📌Koronadal City Public Market
📌Polomolok Public Market
📌Tacurong City Public Market
📌Isulan Public Market
📌Kabacan Public Market
📌Kidapawan City Public Market
📌General Santos City Public Market
📌Alabel Public Market

Be an informed consumer. Plan smart. Buy fresh!

08/08/2026

As of 8:00 PM today, 08 August 2026, the Low Pressure Area (LPA 08c) being monitored outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has developed into a Tropical Depression.
Another Tropical Depression (formerly LPA 08b) is being monitored outside the PAR.
Meanwhile, Typhoon "DOLPHIN" is being monitored inside the Tropical Cyclone Information Domain (TCID).

All are advised to monitor updates from DOST-PAGASA

As of 8:00 PM today, 08 August 2026, the Low Pressure Area (LPA 08c) being monitored outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has developed into a Tropical Depression.

Another Tropical Depression (formerly LPA 08b) is being monitored outside the PAR.

Meanwhile, Typhoon "DOLPHIN" is being monitored inside the Tropical Cyclone Information Domain (TCID).

All are advised to monitor updates from DOST-PAGASA