Davao Norte qualifies for cloud seeding

DAVAO del Norte is the only province in Davao Region that has qualified for cloud seeding operations by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), an official from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Davao said.

Maria Febe T. Orbe, DA-Davao officer-in-charge assistant regional director for operations, said that last April 9 to 12, BWSM conducted an assessment in Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Davao City, and Compostela Valley to see if any of these areas are in need of cloud seeding operations.

"Among these areas, only Davao del Norte is qualified for cloud seeding operations based on the criteria set by BWSM," she said.

But Orbe said that before the cloud seeding operations can commence, there are some requirements the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte has to meet. DA-Davao sent the province a letter on the needed requirements.

She said the requirements needed to be complied to merit the conduct of the cloud seeding operations. These include: authority for the governor to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between DA and BSWM; a resolution from the Provincial Council declaring that the province is in a state of calamity as endorsed by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC); and provision of 10 percent counterpart to the P4 million cloudseeding operations, equivalent to P400,000.

Orbe said the province is also asked to seek assistance from the private companies to share since most of the affected areas are the banana plantations.

She said additional costs that will be incurred for the cloud seeding operations will be shouldered by BWSM.

Orbe said the council has already met and they are under discussion whether to declare the province in a state of calamity.

She said before the province can declare a state of calamity, they also have to consider the fisheries, livestock, other agricultural crops, the constituents, and the national government agencies who will be involved.

Also, if the cloud seeding operation pushes through, Orbe said it will not be easy since the environment and weather has to be factored in like if there are clouds that can be seeded and wind direction.