MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced that the country is about to reach the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of raising to 86.5 percent the number of households with access to safe water by 2015.
“With 1990 as the baseline year, when access level was 73 percent, we have broadened access to 80 percent in 2002 and 80.1 percent in 2008,” Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said.
He said the passage of the Clean Water Act of 2004 helped raise the level of access to water.
Paje said it is important for the “Sustainable Forest Management Bill” to be refiled and approved in the 15th Congress.
He also said that one of six marching orders of President Aquino to the DENR is to clean up rivers, creeks and other waterways, especially in Metro Manila and other highly urbanized areas.