SRA allots P13M to induce rains over sugar lands

BACOLOD CITY — The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is allocating P13 million for a second phase of cloud-seeding operations scheduled in November.

These actions are meant to buffer sugar lands against the threat of an expected Super El Niño.

SRA Board Member David Andrew Sanson on Friday (Oct. 16) announced the allocation.

His statement comes following the completion of an initial P6 million joint cloud-seeding campaign with the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The activity started September 7 with a budget of P6 million from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management of the Department of Agriculture.

It wrapped up on Wednesday (October 14) with a reported 100 percent rainfall success rate.

“I commend our men and women in the Air Force and the DA for ensuring the success of the operations, despite the many challenges they encountered, particularly with the dangers posed by the volcanic eruptions,” Sanson said.

The team reported three major challenges, including limited target due to varying crop stages, reduced visibility due to effects of the Mt. Kanlaon volcanic eruption, and the risk blockage of the aircraft’s air intake system due to volcanic ash.

The risk blockage could adversely affect engine performance and flight safety.

A total of 52 hours of flying time around the two regions was reported, and 456 bags of salt – equivalent to more than 11,000 bags – were used for the cloud-seeding operations.

Sanson said SRA will fund the extended aerial rain-making operations in November.

The project is aimed at safeguarding sugarcane and other vital agricultural crops as dry conditions worsen. /apl