The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Environmental Management Bureau, and Mines and Geosciences Bureau in MIMAROPA sent out their support to families affected by Taal volcano eruption through a donation drive among their officials and employees across the region.

Pre-loved and new clothing, towels and blankets, footwear and bags; cookies and biscuits, and monetary donations were collected and turned over to DENR REGION IV-A (CALABARZON) on February 11, for distribution to the survivors of the eruption.

At the onset of the volcanic explosion, DENR Region IV-A has immediately organized a relief campaign for the victims.

"Tagaytay and  the provinces of Batangas and Cavite are close to our heart because we used to be under one region, Region IV," DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Henry Adornado stated.

In 2002, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Executive Order No. 103, dividing Region IV into Regions IV-A  (CALABARZON) and IV-B (MIMAROPA). CALABARZON is an acronym for the five provinces that comprise the region, namely Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. Similarly, MIMAROPA also stands for the five island provinces within its jurisdiction, Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.

"We were and are still a family. It is but natural to lend each other a helping hand especially in times of need," the director remarked.

Besides sending out a gesture of concern to the survivors, DENR MIMAROPA’s donation drive also formed part of the agency’s observance of Zero Waste Month celebration last January, when employees were encouraged to reduce the volume of wastes by donating old clothes and other used materials instead of disposing them.

“We are glad that through simple but united actions, we were able to show that we can take care of the environment and our needy brothers and sisters at the same time,” RED Adornado concluded. ###