Masculino: Cloud seeding begins this month

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental provincial agriculturist, Atty. Japhet Masculino, recently confirmed there are currently 23 localities in the province experiencing a “dry spell” due to ongoing El Niño conditions, which AccuWeather describes as a climate pattern that raises sea temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and results in drought conditions due to reduced rainfall.

Based on the latest report by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, local rice and corn crops have experienced around P109 million in damages. In addition, P300 million worth of damage was also recorded for the province’s sugarcane crops.

In addition, Masculino also confirmed cloud seeding operations begin this month.

Back in March, the provincial agriculturist confirmed the Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Soils and Water Management had already completed their assessment of certain areas believed to be in need of such operations.

Meanwhile, One Patriotic Coalition of Marginalized Nationals partylist Rep. Michael Romero said farms and the agricultural department must be ready for an extended El Niño.

According to the legislator, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) released a forecast forecasting dry conditions until October.

“Farmers, cooperatives, and the Department of Agriculture must be ready with contingency measures,” he noted. “There will be a lot of ‘below normal’ and ‘way below normal’ rainfall in May, August, and October.”/DGB, WDJ