Confiscated lumber donated for shelters of Sarangani quake survivors

The DENR-9 donated 7,518.75 board feet of confiscated lumber to quake-hit communities in Sarangani Province devastated by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake last June 8. DENR-9 photo

PAGADIAN CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Region 9 (DENR-9) has donated confiscated lumber into life-saving shelter materials for families devastated by the June powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Sarangani Province.

Marie Angelique Go, DENR-9 regional executive director, told the Inquirer Wednesday that they donated 7,518.75 board feet of lumber and mobilized cash assistance for the quake victims in Glan and Malapatan towns.

Article continues after this advertisement

The lumber, sourced from confiscated forest products by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices in Manukan, Piñan, Liloy, Ramon Magsaysay, and Guipos, as well as wood recovered through Special Tree Cutting and Earth-balling Permits and surplus materials from the Department of Public Works and Highways projects, was redirected to aid quake victims.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

READ: 2 held in Occidental Mindoro over illegal lumber

By donating the seized lumber, the DENR avoided further strain on forest resources while delivering immediate assistance to victims of calamities, Go said.

The seized lumber was formally turned over to the local governments of Glan and Malapatan last week, received respectively by Mayors Victor James Yap Sr. and Salway Sumbo Jr., who will oversee distribution to the affected families, Go said.

The TVI Resource Development (Philippines) Inc. extended support in transporting the lumber from Zamboanga del Sur as part of its corporate social responsibility program.

Article continues after this advertisement

On-site, the military’s 512th Engineer Construction Battalion, the 504th Combat Engineer Battalion, and members of the Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit under the 73rd Infantry Battalion have begun constructing core shelters in Glan, restoring safety and stability to displaced residents, Go said.

DENR-9 said that despite its lumber donation, many families remain in need of additional wood and construction materials.

Article continues after this advertisement

It called on the public, private sector, and civil society organizations to extend assistance, coordinating their contributions through DENR-12 for proper turnover to local government units.

Go stressed that what was once confiscated lumber is now transformed into shelter and hope, symbolizing resilience in the face of disaster. /mr

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.