By Ric Obedencio | 12:19 AM June 17, 2024
Cloud seeding in the province, one of the planned government interventions to cushion the impact of the dry spell, is strongly given a green light to continue by the Technical Working Group, dimming the chance of Board Member Mimi Boniel’s quest for its stoppage.
The TWG told the agriculture committee it is necessary for the provincial government to continue the cloud seeding that has already started last week with the hope that it will induce more cloud-producing rain during the start of planting season.
All of the TWG members, composed of the provincial government offices and national agencies, like the PAG-ASA, Department of Agriculture, National Irrigation Administration, Bureau of Soils and Water Management, said in the affirmative when asked by the agriculture committee.
It said that its decision to carry on the operations is mainly based on their study and scientific data presented during the meeting called by the agriculture committee led by its interim chair Board member Lucille Lagunay on Friday.
Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte also strongly indorsed the cloud seeding to continue after last week’s operations.
But for Board Member Mimi Boniel, who wanted that cloud seeding be stopped, said, “The continuation of cloud seeding operations during an apparent rainy season seems to be an unnecessary expenditures of government resources.”
Boniel (second district, Bohol), one the four remaining in the opposition at the SP who delivered privilege speech last week’s SP session, wanted the executive branch to halt the wasteful cloud seeding because it’s already rainy days.
The strong support of the TWG for the extension of cloud seeding operations did not sit well with her, adding that she still maintains to stop it and it’s better to use the resources for a direct assistance to the farmers who were hurt the impact of the El Nino.
It was not immediately known if another meeting will be conducted to tackle again the cloud seeding.
But it looks like that Boniel’s hunt for cloud seeding cessation may face an uphill battle in the plenary of the provincial board which is composed of the administration-allied board members, having the number when voting for her proposed Resolution for the said stoppage.
Capitol said that the total damage of crops has hiked to P458,744,648.33 as of June 6, from the validated reports of 41 out of 47 towns from earlier report of P420 million plus.
The declaration of the state of calamity for Bohol has yet to be lifted, it was learned.
Anthony Damalerio, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Office, said that the affected farmers is now numbering 22, 000 from only over 11,000 before the declaration of Bohol under the state of calamity.
TWG said that the cloud seeding carried out last week had an over 80% success.
Aside from Lagunay and Boniel, Board Members Nathaniel Binlod, SK president Lawrence Ancla, Atty. Tomas Abapo, Jr., provincial agriculturist Liza Quirog, BEMO head Tata Ganub and representatives of Provincial Legal Office and other offices.
Those who participated in the said committee meeting are Department of Agriculture Region 7’s Science Research Specialist II, Cecile Opada, Acting Head of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Larry Pamugas, Engr. Jocel Mendoza of the BSWM, PDRRMO head Dr. Anthony Damalerio, NIA-7’s Engr. Evelina Putong and Air Force officers Msgt. Jordan B. Oberez, SSgt. Mark Harold S. Lictawa, Sgt. Jiggs O. Gonzales and AIC Angel Charles M. Panganiban, who conducted the said loud seeding.
Meanwhile, the number of provinces affected by drought has dropped to 26, including Bohol, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Philstar reported.
These provinces are Apayao, Batanes, Cagayan and Palawan in Luzon as well as Aklan, Antique, Bohol, Capiz, Cebu, Guimaras, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor and Southern Leyte in the Visayas.
In Mindanao, Basilan, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay are still affected by drought.
Drought conditions are characterized by below normal rainfall or 21 to 60 percent reduction from the average for five consecutive months, or way below normal rainfall conditions for three consecutive months.
Seventeen provinces in Mindanao are still experiencing dry spell while six provinces in Luzon are experiencing dry conditions.
Dry spell means below normal rainfall conditions for three consecutive months. Dry conditions are characterized by below normal rainfall for two months.
PAGASA added there is still a high chance that La Niña would develop from July to September, which would bring adverse effects with above-average rainfall. (rvo)
