LAWMAKERS in the province are planning to ask concerned agencies to conduct cloud seeding operations to help ease the impact of the El Niño phenomenon.
With the pronouncement of weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) that El Niño conditions might be experienced until June, Benguet Provincial Board Member Roberto Canuto said they were considering the conduct of cloud seeding operations.
"We would come up with a resolution addressed to the concerned agency to research on the possibility of requesting for cloud seeding because of the pronouncement of Pagasa, it’s not only for the protection of forest but for the farmers," he added.
The move was supported by Board Members Nestor Fongwan Jr. and Ruben Paoad.
"I agree to the proposed conduct of cloud seeding in the area," added Fongwan.
Meanwhile, Paoad highlighted the importance of pine trees in the irrigation of farms.
Advisories were earlier issued by the weather bureau on El Niño, a natural occurring phenomenon affecting the normal rainfall pattern in the country and characterized by extended period of dry season.
By the end of April 2019, 42 provinces are seen to likely experience dry spell, half of which are in Luzon.
The weather bureau also added that 17 provinces in Luzon will likely experience drought such as Abra, Benguet, Kalinga, Apayao, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Metro Manila, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan and Catanduanes.