Speedy action sought on water shortage

The government should take real and concrete action to combat the expected water shortage.

This developed as the Ecological Society of the Philippines further urged the government to fund farmers who go organic and those who enhance the conservation of biodiversity.

Antonio Claparols, ESP president, said this can be done by planting trees, to restudy mining development, as they seek to support farmers who rely on monsoon rains for their harvest. ESP calls for a moratorium on logging activities and on the development of more dams.

Claparols cited Negros province where the yield this year is so low and the price of sugar is less than the cost of production. The same is true with rice  and other crops. In Baguio, the price of vegetables and fruits are more expensive than a meal of rice and fish.

ESP calls on the eradication of poverty and the UN Millenium Development Goals by 2010. We do not need to be the first world country at the expense of our people getting more poorer. We need environmental security and food security, Claparols stressed.