Conservation of water a must -- DENR
"Man can survive without food for 40 days but cannot survive without water for four days," Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atienza stressed as he appealed to the public to conserve water by protecting river and lakes which are sources of potable water.
During the observance of World Water Day, Atienza emphasized that "like air, water is essential to sustain life."
"In the face of climate change, it is important that Filipinos should now adopt water conservation as a way of life," he said.
The DENR Secretary also said that 53 % of pollution load of rivers comes from domestic wastes.
He warned that of the 421 principal rivers and 20 major river basins, 50 percent of these are highly degrade because of men's abuse and neglect.
With climate change identified as a big threat to the world's resources, the DENR Secretary also cited several factors that affect the sources of our water supply.
These factors are pollution, over extraction of groundwater, dwindling supply of surface water our to neglect of watersheds and over exploitation of forest resources.
In connection with these factors, Atienza urged the public to continue tree-panting activities, as trees play important role in cleaning the atmosphere, replenishing our water bodies and in regulating the climate. (PIA/T.Villavert)