Aimed at modifying the weather, mitigate the impact of the ongoing El Niño and replenish natural water resources for sustainable domestic and industrial water supply, agriculture, power generation and the likes, another cloud seeding operations will be conducted in Bohol starting tomorrow and will end on May 6, 2016.
Vicente B. Malano, acting administrator, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) in his letter to Gov. Edgar M. Chatto through assistant Provincial Agriculturist Larry M. Pamugas dated April 13, 2016, said that PAG-ASA will be pushing through the cloud seeding operations over the province for 10 days in compensation to the suspended initial scheduled operation due to the occurrence of Typhoon Nona late last year.
Malano bared that PAG-ASA in active collaboration with the Philippine Airforce (PAF), Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) is currently undertaking cloud seeding operations under the DOST-El Niño Task Force Project.
He emphasized that this is implemented throughout the country, and is focused on areas severely affected by the dry spell due to the El Niño phenomenon.
Malano furthermore informed the governor that a one-day seminar/workshop on “El Niño Cloud Seeding; and other Mitigation Measures†will be held on Wednesday at the Casa Rey Francis, Pob. I, Tagbilaran City with their assistance in providing the expertise of their consultants and the use of their meteorological facilities based in Cebu.
Prior to the training proper, Gov. Chatto will deliver his inspirational message after Sergio H. Cuaco, chief, crops Productivity Division, OPA could introduce the guests and participants and Pamugas could give his welcome message.
Leon Parac, Jr., cloud seeding Focal Person, said that within the 10-day cloud seeding operations, the province of Bohol could expect to experience rainfall to fill-up the critical level of water of the Bayongan Dam in San Miguel town and other dams such as Malinao Dam in Pilar and the Capayas Dam in Ubay.
Right after this operation, Parac said we will be expecting another round of cloud seeding operations for 44 hours to be funded by the BSWM in collaboration with the PAG-ASA and PAF.
The cloud seeding operation is strongly asked by the irrigators association and Boholano farmers to save the hectares of rice farms currently under crop maintenance and reproductive stage. (Atoy Cosap)