NEWSFLASH

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MANILA GRABBING FARM WATER SUPPLY

Candaba, Pampanga, Nov. 6, 1997 - Farm lands and urban residents are starting to fight for the meager water supply which, thanks to El Nino, might not be augmented for a while.

Local officials have charged that the water from Angat Dam traditionally used to irrigate farm lands in this town has been diverted to supply the water needs of Metro Manila residents. Mayor Ben Gatus said while there is nothing wrong with the diversion, there might not be enough water left for the rice farms and fish ponds which are the main livelihood of many towns in this area.

"We are lucky if half of the planted crops will be harvested, the Department of Agriculture should provide us with irrigation equipment so we can implement remedial measures to save the harvest," Gatus said.

The towns of San Luis, Arayat, San Simon and Candaba also depend on the dam for their household and fishpond water needs.

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