|
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
Jaworski pushes clean water bill
SEN. Robert Jaworski has called anew on his colleagues in Congress to expedite the approval of a proposed measure that will ensure clean and safe water.
Jaworski, chairman of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources, cited a report which revealed that eight out of 10 illnesses in the Philippines are water-borne, which is why there is a need to approve immediately the Clean Water Act of 2000.
Jaworksi made the statement in connection with the gastro-enteritis outbreak in Tondo, Manila, that led to the death of four persons and hospitalization of
more than 100 others.
He warned that more fatal water-borne diseases would continue to kill people if water resources remain contaminated and polluted.
Senate Bill (SB) 2515 sponsored by Jaworski is still up for second reading by the Senate.
SB 2515 mandates the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), local government units and other agencies concerned to come up with a water quality management area action plan identifying water pollution control strategies to clean water bodies.
"This proposed measure put to task the DENR to come up with water reports and an Integrated Water Quality Management Framework (IWQMF). We also provided the mechanism for the participation of local executives and planners, non-government organization and the civil society," he added.
The senator also noted that clean and safe water in the country has become scarce because "water pollution and contamination is now at an all time high."
Despite the fact that 90 percent of drinking water comes from underground sources, records show that nearly one out of three Filipinos does not have access to safe and reliable water. JPM
(November 4, 2003 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
