DA seeks P6.2-M cloud seeding funds as Caraga drought worsens

SAN FRANCISCO, AGUSAN DEL SUR, Philippines — With farmers in Caraga (Region 13) feeling the crunch of the prolonged drought, the Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office has sought funding of P6.2 million for cloud seeding operations to alleviate the impact of the dry spell that has already affected water sources in some parts of the region.

The mitigation measure, backed by the Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), is intended to induce rainfall in drought-affected areas in October and November, including Agusan del Sur, where over 26,000 hectares of agricultural lands have been damaged, affecting thousands of farmers.

Several local government units in Caraga have already declared states of calamity as the dry conditions continue to affect farming communities and household water supplies.

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READ: Provinces brace for drought, farm losses

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Dinagat Islands Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr. earlier sought a cloud seeding operation after the province declared a state of calamity in August because of severe dry conditions, Gerlie Antipaso, DA-Caraga agriculturist II, said.

But a technical assessment by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) from Sept. 14 to 17 found that only about 300 hectares of agricultural lands in Dinagat Islands qualified for the operation, below the 1,000-hectare minimum required for a standalone cloud-seeding operation.

DA-Caraga subsequently proposed expanding the target area to cover the rest of the region during a Sept. 18 exit conference with local stakeholders, including Agusan del Norte Rep. Dale B. Corvera, the Butuan City agriculturist and representatives of the city’s lone congressional district.

Butuan City had declared a state of calamity because of the continuing dry conditions, which affected water supplies to consumers.

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The DA-Caraga expanded proposal would cover the five provinces of Region 13, allowing the cloud seeding operation to meet the minimum area requirement while extending potential benefits to more drought-affected communities.

Local officials in Dinagat Islands welcomed the proposal, particularly in communities with limited natural water sources.

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‘In dire need of rain’

“San Jose is in dire need of rain, especially after we found out that we have no natural water source within our municipal territory,” said San Jose Mayor Ruben Zuniega.

“Cloud seeding would be a very timely intervention and an immediate remedy to our need for rainwater. It will significantly help in sustaining our water sources,” he added.

DA-Caraga presented the regional cloud-seeding plan during the third-quarter full council meeting of the Caraga RDRRMC on Sept. 24.

The agency, however, faces budget realignment constraints in funding the proposed P6.2-million cloud seeding operation.

Lorene Sia-Catedral, Caraga RDRRMC acting chairperson and Office of Civil Defense Caraga officer-in-charge, advised DA Caraga to seek assistance from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Fund.

“Given that we are facing a crisis needing immediate intervention, and with the impending threat of Super El Niño later this year, we encourage our fellow national government agencies to seek financial assistance through our NDRRM Fund to augment their respective response operations,” Catedral said.

She also recommended that the council pass a resolution to help expedite the funding request.

The proposed cloud-seeding operation comes as DA Caraga prepares interventions for the December 2026 to March 2027cropping season, with the agency seeking to restore farm productivity in areas affected by prolonged dry conditions.

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Beyond providing immediate relief, the interventions are intended to strengthen climate resilience, protect farmers’ livelihoods and help maintain food production in the region. /cb