N. Cotabato gov't to release P4M for cloud seeding in drought-hit areas

KIDAPAWAN CITY– The Cotabato provincial government has allotted some P4 million for the cloud seeding operations in areas affected by severe drought. The operations will take place anytime this month, according to the Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO). PDDRM officer Cynthia Ortega said among those target areas for cloud seeding are watersheds in the mountainous areas of towns of Alamada, Arakan Valley Complex, Kidapawan, Magpet, and Makilala.Data showed the drought, which started early January, has already affected vast hectares of palay and corn fields in at least 250 barangays in Arakan, Alamada, and Aleosan towns. Aside from drought, at least three towns were affected by rat infestation, including Kabacan, considered a rice granary in Central Mindanao. Ortega said the release of funds for climate change adaptation measures will happen after the province would be placed under state of calamity. She stressed the PDRRM council passed on January 19 a resolution asking the provincial council to place the province under state of calamity. Quick response funds for climate change adaptation measures to be taken from the DRRM fund would be released after, she said.