THE Department of Agriculture (DA) started cloud seeding operations over the Negros Island Region (NIR) on Sunday, May 1.
Corazon Ditarro, Engineer II of the Agro-Hydrology and Rain Stimulation Section of the DA’s Bureau of Soil and Water Management, said on Monday, May 2, that the operation was felt through light rains over Cadiz and Bago cities and heavy rains in La Carlota City.
The DA has a budget of about P2 million to cover 45 hours of flying time, Ditarro said.
“The cloud seeding operations will continue until the 45 hours flying time will be fully utilized,” Ditarro said.
Sunday’s operations lasted 1 hour and 52 minutes.
Farmers affected by the prolonged dry weather associated with El Niño had been inquiring about the schedule of cloud seeding operations. Their concern was brought up by Second District Board Member Miller Serondo during the Negros Occidental Provincial Board session on April 27.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration had also set aside a budget for cloud seeding as many sugar farmers had been also affected by the El Nino.
Negros Occidental has declared a state of calamity, allowing access to the P40-million Quick Response Fund from the Provincial Calamity Fund that could be utilized to help affected local government units. (TDE)