THE cloud seeding operations to be conducted by the Department of Agriculture-Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DA-DRRM) in areas in Davao that were declared under a state of calamity due to the El Niño phenomenon will cost around P2.5 million.
DA-DRRM focal person Roy Jose Pascua told SunStar Davao that since Davao del Sur has been the most affected, they will prioritize the area.
The scheduled cloud seeding operations on March 25, however, was moved tentatively to next month.
"Ang cloud seeding operation naka-allot 'yan siya. It will cost P2.5 million [and] that is for the whole davao region. But in this case si [Davao] del sur palang 'yung talagang kailangan ng tubig," Pascua said.
"Tentatively March 25 [ang cloud seeding operation] but na-move ito as per advice ng The Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), the lead agency for cloud seeding operation. As to the date, wala pa kaming information but definitely, we will proceed with the operation, probably next month," he added.
The municipalities that are affected are Bansalan, Matanao, Magsaysay, Hagunoy, and Kiblawan.
He said there should be a minimum of 1,000 hectares affected production area and the local government unit (LGU) will have to declare it under a state of calamity.
"The disadvantage is that we don't have a cloud to seed but base on our assessment last week, mostly 'yung clouds natin are managed from the Mount Apo, so meron tayong pwedeng ma-modify at mag generate ng rain fall," Pascua said.
He said the success rate when the operation first started is not as high as today due to advancement of technology.
"Medyo tumaas na ‘yung success rate natin. Sa national average we conducted 700 cloud seeding in the whole philippines, maka-generate ng rain is 533. So nasa 75-76 percent ang success rate," he said. (With Arrianne Kate S. Arilla, UM Intern)