Utilizing 38 flight sorties and 11,400 kilograms of salt, government agencies have concluded a 28-day cloud seeding mission to induce rainfall over moisture-stressed farms in Negros Occidental and neighboring provinces.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson met with officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Philippine Air Force (PAF), and partner agencies on Thursday, October 15, for an exit conference at the Provincial Capitol to review the execution, achievements, and key outcomes of the month-long initiative.
Conducted from September 7 to October 14, the cloud seeding operations aimed to induce and enhance rainfall over agricultural lands suffering from reduced water availability and dry conditions, helping safeguard local crop production, a post on the Negros Occidental Facebook page said.
The joint operation was implemented by the DA through the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), in partnership with the PAF, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), and other supporting state agencies.
Operational statistics show that over 28 active operational days, the team logged a total of 52 flight hours using vacuum sodium chloride as seeding material to stimulate precipitation over key farming communities.
The Bacolod-Silay Airport served as the primary tactical base throughout the campaign.
During the meeting, stakeholders evaluated operational challenges, acknowledged inter-agency efforts, and outlined strategic recommendations for future drought mitigation and climate resilience programs in Western Visayas and the NIR, the press release said.*
[sibwp_form id=1]