The city water district said Thursday that its cloud seeding operations to augment water supply will start after the lifting of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Puerto Princesa City Water District (PPCWD) information officer Jenn Rausa said that the contract for the operation was supposed to start on March 15, but it was affected by the lockdown in the entire Luzon.
“Itutuloy na lang siguro once lifted na ang lockdown,” she said.
“Kasi ganoon naman siguro talaga mangyayari since hindi rin maka-mobilize yong team na nasa Metro [Manila] pa. Nakapag-advance payment na kami, may contract na, mobilization na lang talaga ng team at ng asin kaso ayon, hindi pa rin talaga umabot,” she said.
Rausa said they have signed the contract with Fliteline Airways Philippines, Inc., for the aircraft and salt to be used for cloud seeding operations.
The city water district has a 40-hour contract for one to two sorties daily, she said.
The Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM) representatives who are designated to monitor the operation was not able to fly to the city due to the ECQ resulting in the suspension of flights.
BSWM is also designated to coordinate with the Philippine Air Force (PAF) that will serve as the leader of the operation and will provide additional manpower.
“Pero once okay na lahat, puwede na rin siguro sila bumiyahe agad dito. May na-order na rin naman na asin, ishi-ship na lang,” Rausa said that once the ECQ lifted mid of April, the operations will continue.