TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) expressed concern on the degrading quality of drinking water in the region.
The quality is what we’re monitoring right now because we are experiencing pollution,” said Alfredo Pascual, DENR regional executive director.
Pascual added that there are lots of water sources in Leyte and Samar areas but the growing population prompts some people to inhabit watershed areas, which causes pollution.
“There are at least 50 watersheds in Eastern Visayas, half of it are located in Leyte, six in Southern Leyte, three in Biliran, seven in Western Samar, six in Eastern Samar and three in Northern Samar.
“Some 40 years back we can drink water from stream but we couldn’t this time because of human activities.” He told the media in a press conference at the regional office of Philippine Information Agency yesterday.
With this situation, he pointed out that more people buy purified water. “There are more demands for bottled water because of their fear to drink water delivered by local water districts,” Alfredo Pascual added.
As the world marks the Waster Day celebration yesterday, the DENR regional office here vowed to continue their monitoring actively of water sources. They also hope to conserve the watershed.
Other activities that could help maintain the good quality of water include vegetation, reforestation, forest protection, and other watershed management programs. DENR also monitors water sources for irrigation and other consumption. |
