Manila, June 9 -- To cushion the impact of the red-striped soft-scale insects (RSSI) infestation, which reduces sugar production by almost 50 percent, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) on Monday said it is set to impose a transport control policy for the entry and exit of plants and planting materials in Negros Island Region (NIR).

This came after the SRA reported an increase in affected area to 841.7 hectares in Negros Occidental as of June 6, far higher than 87 hectares initially recorded on May 22.

In a hybrid forum, SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said the policy will cover the movement of plants and planting materials, both for commercial and research purposes.

"Whoever, whatever irresponsibly brought plants into Negro...