Deputy Chief of Mission Edna May G. Lazaro (center) and Agriculture Attaché Annalyn L. Lopez (right most) with the participants from the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) of the Department of Agriculture during their visit to the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok
BANGKOK, 05 SEPTEMBER 2024. From August 27 to September 2, the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) of the Philippines and the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation (DRRAA) of Thailand successfully implemented the project, “Capacity Enhancement on the Rainmaking Technology for Philippine Cloud Seeding Personnel.” This project is under the purview of the Philippines-Thailand Joint Agricultural Working Group within the framework of the Agricultural Cooperation Agreement between the two countries, implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
The delegates from BSWM, composed of Engr. Corazon Dittaro, Engr. Jocel Mendoza, and Engr. Dember Nidoy of the Water Resources Management Division, had their training first at the Northern Royal Rainmaking Operation Center in Chiang Mai Province. They learned about the Ground-based Generator (GBG technology) and observed its operation as an alternative method to the use of aircraft for rainmaking in certain conditions in areas of high elevation, proximate to dams.
Director Wassana Wongrat explaining to BSWM Engr. Corazon Dittaro the specific operational guidelines or protocols used in rainmaking operations.
The second part of the training was held at the Central Royal Rainmaking Operation Center in the Nakhon Sawan Province Agricultural Airport. DRRAA shared knowledge and information on rainmaking operations and practices using aircraft, including weather condition analysis, flight operation planning, and rainmaking substances preparation. Together with DA’s Agriculture Attaché, Ms. Annalyn Lopez, the BSWM delegates had the opportunity to join and observe in-flight cloud seeding operations.
On August 29, Agriculture Attaché Lopez and the delegation visited the DRRAA's main office where they were welcomed by Mr. Suphit Phithaktham, Director-General; Mr. Weerawat Aungsupanith, Deputy Director-General of Operations; and Mr. Rachen Silaparaya, Deputy Director-General of Administration. The meeting at DRRAA facilitated the exchange of knowledge and discussion on potential areas of further collaboration in weather modification between the two agencies.
The delegation also had a courtesy visit to the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok and called on Ms. Edna May G. Lazaro, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., on September 3. They shared their learnings and insights on the potential plans moving forward regarding technologies and practices which are applicable to the Philippine context.
The conduct of the training project coincided with the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Philippines-Thailand Diplomatic Relations being celebrated this year. END
The executives of the Thai Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation together with the Philippine delegation. From left to right: Engr. Jocel Mendoza (BSWM), Deputy Director-General Rachen Silaparaya, Deputy Director-General Weerawat Aungsupanith, Director-General Suphit Phithaktham, DA Agriculture Attaché Annalyn Lopez, Director Wassana Wongrat, Engr. Corazon Dittaro (BSWM), and Engr. Dember Nidoy (BSWM)
