Gov't urged to protect RP's water resources

The Philippines is rich in natural resources. And yet some parts of the country experience food shortage and lack potable water.

“This problem will not be solved by itself, we need to act together to preserve and protect our environment,” said Ecological Society of the Philippines (ESP) president Antonio M. Claparols. “This problem will eventually get worse if we do not stop polluting the environment and destroying our watersheds.”

Claparols said scientists all over the world are blaming the global warming phenomenon for the recent food and water crisis.

“We call on government to protect our water resources and make sure every Filipino has potable water to drink,” he said, adding “the gorvernment must also spearhead the drive to plant more trees and protect the remaining rainforests.”

Claparols cited studies saying that the demand for potable water doubles every 20 years, outpacing population growth twice as fast. In less than 20 years, it is estimated that demand for drinking water will exceed the world’s supply by over 50 percent.

“Let us not allow this to happen here in our country,” said Claparols. “We have to protect and conserve our resources. Our forest and watersheds are our water reservoirs and must be protected,” he added.