By JEN BAYLON

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson expressed mixed sentiments on the conduct of cloud seeding operations in the province.

While acknowledging that there is no need to conduct cloud seeding, Lacson said it is still an option.

“If you ask me now, I would say na, maybe there’s no need na,” Lacson said, considering the abundant rainfall the province has been experiencing.

“That’s still an option. But I talk to the people from the south, they’re very happy with the rain already. There’s really an abundance of rain,” Lacson said.

His statement came as a surprise to many, given the province’s recent struggles with drought and water shortage during the El Niño phenomenon.

Agricultural damage caused by El Niño in the province reached P340 million, data from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist showed in May.

The damage to rice crops was pegged at P306,736,598.61, while losses to corn were estimated at P17,102,799.31, and high-value crops at P13,330,121.

The local government units that recorded crop damage due to drought include the cities of Kabankalan, Escalante, Himamaylan, Bago, and San Carlos City, as well as the municipalities of Cauayan, San Enrique, Candoni, Valladolid, Ilog, Calatrava, and Hinoba-an.

However, Lacson maintained that his administration would focus on other priority projects.

The cloud seeding program was initiated by the provincial government to induce rain and alleviate the effects of drought on agriculture.

The operation involves releasing substances into clouds to enhance precipitation and increase rainfall.

However, cloud seeding operations were suspended as it would trigger lahar flows in communities near Kanlaon following its eruption on June 3.

Localities affected by Kanlaon’s eruption include La Carlota City and Bago, as well as the municipalities of Moises Padilla and Pontevedra./JB, WDJ