By DAVE S. ALBARADO
The Commission on Audit (COA) may be called upon to investigate the cloud seeding operations in Bohol, which are set to cost PHP5 million, according to 2nd District Board Member Mimi Boniel in an interview.
Boniel said that despite recent rainfall in San Miguel, Sierra Bullones, Pilar, and Dagohoy, and the release of water to irrigation canals for the rice fields from Malinao Dam in Pilar and water spill that feeds Bayongan Dam in San Miguel, suspended Governor Aris Aumentado and Acting Governor Victor Balite allegedly proceeded with cloud seeding operations on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
The lady lawmaker revealed that the Bohol Capitol, along with the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 7 (DA-RFO 7) and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM), allegedly defied directives from Malacañang and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
These directives discourage cloud seeding as an immediate solution to El Niño, especially now that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has declared the return of the rainy season.
The current water level of Malinao Dam stands at 151.72 meters, with its gates opened to irrigate Bohol’s rice fields, DA records showed.
The dam is expected to spill over when it reaches 152 meters, as it did on June 5, 2024, at 3PM.
Videos of the spilling water were captured by passers-by.
Nimbus clouds hovering over the watersheds of Malinao and other dams are expected to bring more rain, increasing the water levels of the dams used for rice irrigation in Bohol.
Rainfall was reported in various parts of Bohol throughout the week of June 3, 2024, including Batuan, Carmen, Panglao, Tagbilaran, Baclayon, Albur, Garcia-Hernandez, Valencia, Sierra Bullones, Pilar, Alicia, Cortes, San Miguel, Sagbayan, Dagohoy, Ubay, Guindulman, Talibon, Corella, Balilihan, Bilar, Bien Unido, Catigbian, and Batuan towns.
Boniel argued that the PHP5 million spent on cloud seeding is a waste, given the recent rainfall and the spillover of Malinao Dam on June 5, 2024.
The funds used for the cloud seeding operation reportedly come from the BSWM Funds.
The Bohol Capitol maintains that the water levels in the dams are still insufficient.
However, Boniel argued that the funds for El Niño relief were allocated last year and that the procurement body has been slow to act, leading to the current situation.
Boniel likened the procurement body to robots, accusing them of allegedly failing to think for the people.
The COA has yet to respond to the call for an investigation into the matter.
Office of the President Excludes Cloud Seeding as Immediate Solution to El Niño
The Office of the President of the Philippines has issued a directive excluding cloud seeding operations (CSOs) as an immediate solution to El Niño. The decision was made during a Cabinet Meeting held on December 19, 2023.
The Department of National Defense (DND) had previously proposed CSOs as an immediate-term solution to El Niño, particularly to supplement crop water needs during periods of low rainfall.
However, the President expressed reservations about the effectiveness of CSOs in addressing the effects of El Niño.
In the course of the discussion, the President directed the DND and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to exclude the conduct of CSOs from the immediate-term solutions to El Niño.
The decision was based on the lack of scientific data supporting the effectiveness of CSOs.
The memorandum, issued by Executive Secretary Alucas P. Bersamin, was sent to the Secretary of the DND, the DA, and the Administrator of the National Irrigation Administration.
The offices have been informed of the instruction in advance and are expected to submit a status report on the matter within five days of receiving the directive. Regular updates are also expected every five days thereafter until full compliance is achieved.
The directive, filed under reference number PBBM-121923-118, is a significant development in the country’s approach to managing the effects of El Niño. It underscores the administration’s commitment to implementing scientifically-backed solutions to address the challenges posed by climate phenomena such as El Niño.
Cloud Seeding Excluded by OCD as Immediate Solution to El Niño
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) under the Department of National Defense (DND) of the Republic of the Philippines has issued a memorandum excluding cloud seeding operations (CSOs) as an immediate solution to El Niño.
The memorandum, numbered 063 s. 2024 and dated January 18, 2024, was addressed to all OCD Regional Offices (OCDROs) and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (RDRRMCs).
The memorandum conveys Cabinet Directive No. PBBM-121923-118, which emerged from a Cabinet Meeting held on December 19, 2023.
During the meeting, the President directed the DND and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to exclude the conduct of CSOs from the immediate-term solutions to El Niño.
The decision was based on the lack of scientific data supporting the effectiveness of CSOs.
The memorandum was signed by Undersecretary Ariel F. Nepomuceno, the Administrator of the OCD and the Executive Director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
All recipient offices have been instructed to take appropriate action in response to the directive.
LATE STATE OF CALAMITY?
Boniel Questions Calamity Declaration Amid Seasonal Shifts
As this develops, a debate has emerged over the provincial government’s recent declaration of a state of calamity.
Boniel, in a privilege speech last week, had voiced concerns, suggesting that the declaration may be premature or politically motivated.
The declaration, which allows for the release of calamity funds, was announced as the region transitions to the La Niña weather pattern, known for its heavy rains, according to forecasts by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Boniel highlighted that the damage report justifying the declaration only included data from March and April, a period typically marked by drier conditions.
Boniel’s critique comes as local farmers in areas like Bilar and Batuan have already begun preparing their land for cultivation.
She noted that the National Irrigation Administration had only recently released water for around 3,000 hectares of rice fields, questioning the necessity of cloud seeding operations that had been planned to induce rainfall.
The board member warned that such measures could be seen as wasteful by the Commission on Audit (COA), especially now that the rainy season has started.
She also raised the issue of the calamity fund’s adequacy, arguing that it could not possibly meet the needs of all 400,000 farming families in Bohol and expressing concern over the potential for politicization of aid distribution with the upcoming elections.
Boniel called for her SP colleagues to reconsider the state of calamity recommendation, advocating instead for strategic and sustainable solutions to support the province’s farmers.
Bohol’s Struggle with Agricultural Support Amid Climate Challenges
Bohol’s agricultural sector has faced significant delays in receiving support to mitigate the effects of El Niño.
A cloud seeding project, intended as a critical response to drought conditions, has been postponed due to administrative issues.
Despite a PHP2.5 million proposal submitted by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) in November 2023, the project was overlooked in the first quarter’s bidding process, leading to the non-utilization of funds from the Bohol Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
The procurement of essential irrigation supplies has also been delayed, with a four-month wait at the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) and further delays from suppliers, raising questions about the efficacy of the post-qualification inspection process.
Inconsistencies in procurement records for seeds, fertilizers, and other essentials have caused a PHP10 million discrepancy and a two-month delay in reconciliations, hindering timely action.
Furthermore, a PHP30 million indemnification fund for farmers affected by El Niño remains unreleased, with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan failing to authorize the necessary memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).
Boniel said there is a need for efficient governance and prompt action, particularly as the province faces a 60% chance of transitioning to La Niña conditions.
She said that the anticipated delivery of supplies in June, aligning with the onset of the rainy season, adds urgency to resolving these issues.
Boniel stressed that there is a need for broader concerns of Bohol’s agricultural community, emphasizing the importance of swift and effective measures to ensure resilience and preparedness in the face of environmental challenges.