Ray of hope.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in MIMAROPA Region donated on June 3, 10,069.89 board feet of confiscated good lumber to fisherfolks in Occidental Mindoro, who were greatly affected by Typhoon Ursula in December last year.

DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Henry Adornado, together with Mayor Romulo Festin of San Jose and Representative Josephine “Nene” Ramirez-Sato, led the turnover of hardwood to 15 beneficiaries from Barangays Caminawit and San Roque.

The lumber, which has an estimated market value of 503.494.50, shall be used for the construction and repair of the recipients’ fishing vessels, and are expected to help their families recuperate from their losses.

RED Adornado said that under the directive of Secretary Roy Cimatu, confiscated good lumber are disposed through donation. In this time of pandemic, DENR makes it a point to donate lumber for use of local government units and other agencies in their COVID-19 response. The director, however noted that the DENR does not forget the fisherfolks who suffered from the wrath of typhoon Ursula right during Christmas last year.

“We understand their need for wood to help them repair their boats. We hope that in this very difficult time, the donated materials would give them some ray of hope to start anew,” he noted.

RED Adornado also explained that that the donation took quite some time due to the community quarantine protocols that restrict travel and operations.

“We ask for your understanding. The donation has to undergo the right process; and we must also observe the health and security measures imposed by the government,” he pointed out. 

The lumber donation in Occidental Mindoro was made possible through the efforts of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office headed by PENRO Ernesto Tanada, and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices in Sablayan and San Jose headed by CENROs Caesar Quebec and Efren delos Reyes, respectively. Also present during the program was San Jose Vice Mayor Roderick Q. Agas.

Meanwhile, CENRO Socorro in Oriental Mindoro also gave to the Provincial Government, 399 pieces of confiscated wood from Lauan and Tanguile Dipterocarpspp species. The lumber, which measured a total volume of 3,534 board feet and cost Php 176, 700, will be utilized for the construction of COVID-19 isolation facilities, and accommodation for frontliners.

Since the country was placed under community quarantine in March, DENR MIMAROPA has donated assorted lumber to different beneficiaries in the island provinces of Mindoro.  Providing assistance to all concerned within our means is one of the major instructions of Secretary Cimatu to all DENR offices in this time of pandemic.

On April 22, PENRO Oriental Mindoro donated to the Provincial Government, 109 pieces (1,589.32 bd ft) of hardwood for use of the provincial hospital to expand and improve its services for COVID-19 patients. The PENRO also sent 20 pieces (344.66 bd ft) of lumber to the Philippine Coast Guard to help them construct a quarantine facility at the port.  The total market value of the donated lumber was Php 96, 699.

On April 17, PENRO Occidental Mindoro, together with CENRO Sablayan Coordinating Office, also donated lumber to the Provincial Hospital to help furnish its newly constructed dormitory for medical staff and COVID-19 frontliners. (With photos and reports from PENRO Occidental Mindoro and CENRO Socorro in Oriental Mindoro) ###