BACOLOD CITY -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Unit-6 (Western Visayas) has shelved the planned cloud-seeding operations in Negros Occidental after water levels in major river systems in the province have normalized.
Jimmy Eledia Jr., focal person for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of DA-6, said on Monday this was based on the result of the reassessment conducted by their team last week.
Eledia said in two weeks’ time, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) may already declare the onset of rainy season although the effects of El Niño might still persist.
The DA-6 has allocated PHP2.5 million for cloud seeding operation in Negros Occidental as one of the measures to allay possible adverse effects of the dry spell to the province’s agro-fishery sector.
The initial schedule for the cloud seeding was set on the third week of May, and the procurement process has already been completed after the project was awarded to a supplier.
Eledia said they will ask the provincial government to conduct a regular assessment to determine if cloud seeding is still needed.
“The fund allocated for cloud seeding in Negros Occidental can be used throughout the year. It will be reserved for the province,” he added.
Eledia further said Negros Occidental, which has sugarcane as a major crop, should allot a regular fund for cloud seeding and coordinate with the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) as part of its preparation measures.
The dry spell has so far caused PHP495 million in losses to the agriculture and fishery sectors in Negros Occidental. (PNA)
