More cloud seeding operations will be conducted by the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA) in Negros Occidental with the support of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The DA Thursday turned over P1-million assistance to the province for the conduct of the operation.

Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco cited OPA’s report that cloud-seeding operations have induced rains this week in the mountainous areas of Murcia and La Carlota City in central Negros, while in San Carlos City, Calatrava, Don Salvador Benedicto and Cadiz City in northern Negros, and in some areas in southern Negros.

Scattered rain showers were also observed in Bacolod last Wednesday.

The provincial government has allocated P2 million for cloud-seeding operations that started last Feb. 1.

To date, OPA already conducted at least 60 sorties of cloud seeding operations around the province.

As of March 1, the El Niño damage to crops and animals in the province have reached P11.4 million, a consolidated report from the Office of Provincial Veterinarian and OPA showed.

Zayco urged all local government units (LGUs) in the province to closely monitor and give priorities on the problem brought about by the phenomenon in their areas.

He said these LGUs can declare a state of calamity to address the problem.

Murcia has declared its town under state of calamity while Don Salvador Benedicto is eyeing to declare partial state of calamity in some of its barangays.

Earlier Zayco had asked of P59-million fund assistance from President Arroyo for the province’s need in its mitigating measures to cushion the impact of the El Niño phenomenon.

He also advised some department heads at the capitol to coordinate with the regional offices for possible funding from the national government.

(PNA)