In a reactive response to the potential adverse effects of the El Niño phenomenon, the Provincial Government of Bohol has issued Executive Order No. 19, Series of 2024, creating the Bohol Cloud Seeding Operation Task Force.
The El Niño weather pattern, as projected by PAGASA, is expected to impact the country from July 2023 and may continue until the second quarter of 2024.
Recognizing the potential negative impact on the agricultural sector, water resources, and overall socio-economic well-being, the Provincial Government of Bohol has taken this step to mitigate the challenges posed by El Niño, the EO said.
The task force, chaired by Dr. Larry M. Pamugas, the OIC Provincial Agriculturist, and vice-chaired by Dr. Anthony R. Damalerio, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), comprises members from various government agencies and the Philippine Air Force.
The task force’s primary responsibility is the implementation of Cloud Seeding Operations (CSOp) in accordance with existing guidelines issued by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management of the Department of Agriculture.
The operations aim to induce rainfall over the agricultural areas affected by the dry spell, thereby mitigating the impact of El Niño.
The task force will also assess the situation and analyze weather data forecasts to determine the appropriateness of CSOp, maintain close coordination with all offices, agencies, and personnel involved in the CSOp, and provide technical support to the requesting party during the conduct of CSOp.
Funding for the Bohol Cloud Seeding Operations Task Force will be sourced from the Provincial Government with counterpart funding from government line agencies involved in this task.
The order, signed by Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado on May 9, 2024, will take effect immediately and will remain in effect until the end of the Cloud Seeding Operations for the year 2024.
RAINY SEASON BEGINS
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced on Wednesday the start of rainy season.
“The occurrence of scattered rainshowers, frequent thunderstorms, the passage of Typhoon Aghon, and the southwest monsoon (habagat) over the past few days have brought significant rains over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas signifies the start of the rainy season in the country,” the weather bureau said in a new release.
PAGASA urged the public and concerned agencies to take precautionary measures against the adverse impacts of the rainy season, habagat, and the impending La Niña.
Risks include floods and rain-induced landslides.
“The high chance of La Niña conditions to develop by the July-August-September period increases the likelihood of above-normal rainfall conditions in some areas of the country, especially towards the end of the year,” PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando said.
Meanwhile, PAGASA said monsoon breaks or reduced rainfall could extend over a few days or weeks. (with a report from PNA)