By PR | 09:03 PM March 19, 2024
The provincial government is targeting cloud seeding operations by April to ensure agricultural productivity.
Gov. Aris Aumentado directed agencies to target cloud seeding operations by the first week of April.
The move stemmed from a recommendation by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through Cecille Opada during the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) first quarter full council meeting on March 18 at the Capitol.
The DA has allocated P5.19 million for the cloud seeding operations, which will be downloaded to the provincial government.
Opada said cloud seeding is ideal between March to April when seedable clouds are present.
She added that region 2 already begun cloud seeding operations in January.
The intervention is a proactive response to agricultural damage expected due to El Niño.
Leonard Samar of PAGASA reported that El Niño will be felt from March until May with Bohol rainfall forecasted to be below normal in March, below and way below normal in April and below normal in May.
This data would mean that Bohol will have had five months with below normal rainfall levels and is indicative of drought, according to Opada, who expressed concern not only for rice production but other standing crops, livestock and poultry.
Ramil Rodela, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) planning division head, validated the need for cloud seeding with dam irrigation not covering all of its service areas.
The provincial government through the OPA has also prepared a counterpart of P2.5 million for cloud seeding.
Rodela also discussed other interventions for the agricultural sector including the provision of irrigation materials, each set consisting of 1 water pump, 11 plastic drums, 6 rolls of PE hose for farmer associations, cooperatives and groups.
A six-month moratorium on the fees for the use of georesistivity device and drilling machine is also being implemented.
The PDRRM council tackled water levels of dams managed by the National Irrigation Administration including updates on the relief operations for affected families of the armed conflict in Campagao, Bilar; the operation of the Unified Command Center; update on the Oceanjet crew incident and incident command structure for the Sandugo festival.
The body also approved its plans, programs and activities for 2024 and resolved to request the local government of Panglao for a space to operate a unit of the Telephone and Radio Systems Integrated Emergency Response. (PIMO/LMS)
