RP looks to rivers to slake thirst

RP looks to rivers to slake thirst

MANILA (AFP): President Fidel Ramos ordered yesterday a nationwide study on the use of Philippine rivers as a tap water source after the capital began rationing water amid an expectedly long drought, an official statement said.

"Look at all the rivers in the Philippines for harnessing as water sources for a variety of purposes," the presidential palace statement quoted Ramos as telling officials of the National Irrigation Administration.

The Philippines is in the midst of an expectedly long dry spell caused by the El Nino climactic phenomenon.

Half the country is suffering from a severe rainfall shortage, and a Manila utility on Monday began rationing tap water.