The Puerto Princesa City Water District (PPCWD) has allocated around P2.1-million for the upcoming cloud-seeding, which is seen to give ease to the water crisis in the city.
Jenn Rausa, PPCWD acting spokesperson, told the media Monday they are “hoping” to start the cloud-seeding operation by next week.
“Ngayong umaga bago kami umalis nag-convene ‘yong BAC (Bids and Awards Committee) natin para po sa post-qualification ng supplier kung may lacking requirements pa ba para ma-comply na nila. Then kung okay na po lahat-lahat mamayang hapon or tomorrow morning ‘yong special board meeting natin para makapag-release ng notice to award and then notice to proceed tapos start na tayo,” said Rausa.
“Ngayon po ang ginawa natin para isahan na lang isang bidding na lang, [ay] isinama na natin sa supplier ng aircraft. ‘Yong aircraft company sila na rin ang magpo-provide sa atin ng salt,” she added.
Rausa said included in the P2.1-million budget for the cloud/seeding operation are the aircraft rental and maintenance, fund for the salt, and professional fees.
Rausa said once the notice to proceed is released, personnel from Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) and Philippine Air Force (PAF) are expected to conduct an orientation briefing.
She said this cloud-seeding operation is expected to be conducted for one month with an overall 30 hours or one hour each day per sortie.
“So ngayon kung rich ‘yong ating clouds, maganda ‘yong cloud formations natin, isa-saturate natin, baka ganun din [the same sa itinagal ng operation nakaraang taon]. Kung kakayanin one to two sorties per day. Pero nakaraan nasubukan namin ‘yong tatlong sorties effective naman. So ngayon siguro kung maganda ‘yong clouds natin baka gawin natin ‘yon para lang mapabilis ‘yong pag-taas ng tubig natin sa Irawan,” said Rausa.