ILOILO City – The Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6 has redirected its cloud seeding operations primarily from Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, to Iloilo Province and the rest of Panay Island.
This strategic shift was influenced by the recent eruption of Kanlaon Volcano and the aim to mitigate its potential adverse effects on the livelihoods of local residents, particularly farmers.
The eruption had made cloud seeding over Negros impractical, making Iloilo a more viable option, said Regional Executive Director Dennis Arpia.
He also cited the necessity of the move to support agricultural activities in Iloilo, noting its substantial contribution to regional and national food security.
Approximately P6 million has been allocated by DA-6 for these operations, which commenced on June 12.
Despite the onset of the rainy season, Arpia defended the timing and utility of cloud seeding. He explained that while the region had recovered from the El Niño phenomenon, the looming threat of La Niña required preemptive measures.
Cloud seeding is seen as crucial for accelerating and increasing rainfall, aiding in land preparation for rice planting.
Arpia emphasized the need for early planting, in anticipation of typhoons forecasted by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to start affecting the area by October or November. This strategic planting aims to ensure that crops are harvested before these potential storms.
The Bacolod-Silay International Airport remains the operational hub for the cloud seeding activities, conducted in collaboration with the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) and the Philippine Air Force.
Arpia also mentioned that if necessary, cloud seeding could be expanded to Negros, as funds have been reserved for such contingencies./PN
