MANILA, July 4 -- The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) on Friday reported a slower rate of increase in red striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestations across sugarcane fields in Negros Occidental.

SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona attributed the slight deceleration to heightened awareness among farmers and active interventions from sugar planters, according to a news release.

The SRA reported a 13-percent increase in areas affected as of July 2, or 2,281.36 hectares in Negros Occidental from 2,027.79 hectares on June 25.

This was slower than the infestation spread reported on May 28, June 13 and June 6, when increase rates were logged at 34 percent, 62 percent and 54 percent, respectively.

The initial infested area, however, ...