The actual water elevations of the four major dams in Bohol have not reached their full or normal water levels despite the 13 seeding flights of the ongoing Cloud Seeding Operations (CSOs) over different areas in the province, specifically watershed areas.
Engr. Evelina P. Putong, section chief, Operations – National Irrigation Administration, Regional Office No. 7 reported that as of Dec. 11, 2018, the water elevations of Malinao Dam in Pilar was 150.80 meters (ms.) against 152 ms. at full, Bayongan Dam (San Miguel) at 46.10ms. at par with the normal water level of 52 ms., Capayas Dam (Ubay) at 36.35 ms. against 36.50 ms. and Talibon Dam (Talibon) at 27.39 ms. against the 30 ms. spill elevation.
Based on the data, three of the four dams had recorded decrease on its November 21, 2018 water elevations compared to its levels recorded last Dec. 11, 2018 wherein the Malinao Dam from 151.78 ms. down to 150.80 ms.,Capayas Dam at 36.50 ms. decreased to 36.35 ms. and the Talibon Dam from 27.51ms. to 27.39ms. last December 11, 2018.
Leon Parac, Jr., Cloud Seeding focal person said that of the 45-hour contract CSOs sponsored by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh), Philippine Air Force (PAF), and the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) there are still about 24 hours remaining after the 21 hours were consumed in the 13 sorties of operations.
Parac said that since the CSOs started last November 8, 2018 until last Tuesday, almost all towns in the province of Bohol had experienced light to moderate rains such as Duero, G-Hernandez, Albur, Corella, Baclayon, Tagbilaran City, Cortes, Dauis, Panglao, Lila, Dimiao, Loboc, Sikatuna, Loay, Ubay, Carlos P. Garcia, Bien Unido, Talibon, Getafe, Buenavista, Trinidad, Danao, Mabini, Candijay, Inabanga, Sagbayan, Clarin, Calape, San Isidro, Tubigon, Catigbian, Loon, Maribojoc, Antequera, and Calape.
However, Parac expressed dismay over the policy being implemented at the Bohol Panglao International Airport. They were not allowed to stock the salt and aviation gasoline within the perimeter of the airport, causing delay in the operations.
He said the aviation gas has been stocked at the vacated Tagbilaran City Airport while the sacks of salt are deposited at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), Capitol Annex Building, Dao, Tagbilaran City that need to travel for about 15 kilometers before it could be loaded to an aircraft.
Parac said they were ward off by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) guards when they took shelter at the terminal building amid rainfall.
He said that he was disappointed on the treatment given to them by one of the government agencies considering also that they are working in the government discharging services for the good of the public.
The cloud seeding focal person disclosed that after the 45 hours CSOs being conducted, another 42 hours CSOs funded by the PGBh will commence immediately to have more supply of water in the dams to ensure that all Boholano farmers could plant rice this dry cropping season.
Bohol has the total rice area of 56,913.21 hectares (ha) of which 32,919.53 has. are rain-fed and 23,993.68 ha are irrigated. (AtoyCosap)