Ramos approves funds for dike

Ramos approves funds for dike

CLARK FIELD, Philippines (AFP): President Fidel Ramos yesterday approved the release of 900 million pesos (US$35 million) for massive dike and dredging operations to save towns near here from devastating volcanic mudflows.

Ramos announced the release of the funds in a meeting with local officials in this former U.S. military base, north of Manila, regarding relief operations for destructive mudflows from Pinatubo volcano.

About 500 million pesos will go to partial payment for a "mega-dike" to save the provincial capital San Fernando and other towns.

The rest will go towards the dredging of a river that has been filled by the mudflows and to the construction of new roads and bridges to replace those destroyed.