In an interview with The STAR, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said the Bureau of Soil and Water Management and concerned DA regional directors are coordinating with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Office of Civil Defense and Philippine Air Force on the cloud seeding activities.
"Cloud seeding is our last resort. So far, cloud seeding operations (have been) done in Quirino, Isabela, specifically in the Magat Watershed. They are still on standby for seedable clouds," De Mesa said.
He noted that a standby fund was also allocated in Region 6 or Western Visayas for possible cloud seeding operations.
"If there will be seedable clouds, in coordination with PAGASA and Philippine Air Force, cloud seeding operations will be done," the DA official said.
He added that Western Visayas was among El Niño's hardest-hit regions as the total damage to the agriculture sector there has reached P1.02 billion.
De Mesa pointed out that cloud seeding operations were effective as rains were experienced in watersheds of the reservoir.
"Rains happened in the reservoir as before it was done, concerned officials checked on seedable clouds. Cloud seeding is good if rains will come in intended areas. It is a last resource as it is costly, that is why the chance of success should be high," he said.
At least P2.26 billion worth of interventions have been provided to farmers and fisherfolk after the total damage of El Niño in 11 regions has reached P4.39 billion, according to the DA official.
"The department has provided P2.16 bil...
"Cloud seeding is our last resort. So far, cloud seeding operations (have been) done in Quirino, Isabela, specifically in the Magat Watershed. They are still on standby for seedable clouds," De Mesa said.
He noted that a standby fund was also allocated in Region 6 or Western Visayas for possible cloud seeding operations.
"If there will be seedable clouds, in coordination with PAGASA and Philippine Air Force, cloud seeding operations will be done," the DA official said.
He added that Western Visayas was among El Niño's hardest-hit regions as the total damage to the agriculture sector there has reached P1.02 billion.
De Mesa pointed out that cloud seeding operations were effective as rains were experienced in watersheds of the reservoir.
"Rains happened in the reservoir as before it was done, concerned officials checked on seedable clouds. Cloud seeding is good if rains will come in intended areas. It is a last resource as it is costly, that is why the chance of success should be high," he said.
At least P2.26 billion worth of interventions have been provided to farmers and fisherfolk after the total damage of El Niño in 11 regions has reached P4.39 billion, according to the DA official.
"The department has provided P2.16 bil...
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The Philippine Star (Digital) - 1 Issue, May 02, 2024