The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is allocating ₱30 million for cloudseeding operations across the Visayas to mitigate the impact of the ongoing super El Niño, Manuel Lamata, president of the United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED), said on Friday, October 30.
In a press statement, Lamata revealed that he received a letter dated October 26 from SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, confirming that the agency has set aside funds specifically for cloudseeding operations in Negros Island and Panay.
Lamata thanked Azcona for proactively addressing the industry’s concerns, adding that he hopes the allocated budget will be sufficient to cushion the sector through the severe drought.
He said that the cloudseeding operations are scheduled to begin in November.
However, Lamata slammed Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson for his perceived “inaction.”
He stated that UNIFED has repeatedly called on the governor to provide local funding for cloudseeding over the years, but their appeals have fallen on deaf ears despite sugarcane production being the economic lifeblood of Negros.
Pointing to a recent report from the Provincial Agriculturist Office that cited over ₱42 million in agricultural losses in rice and corn due to El Niño, Lamata argued that such damages could have been averted had the provincial government exercised foresight and acted on early warnings regarding the drought.
Lamata thanked Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. for funding cloudseeding operations the previous month and for committing additional budget allocations for similar efforts next year.
He commended both Azcona and Laurel for demonstrating strong leadership and support for the sugar industry during a critical period marked by severe drought, pest infestations, and rising costs of fuel and farm inputs.
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