Seized lumber repurposed into school chairs in Agusan del Sur
SCHOOL chairs made from illegally cut logs. (Photo via Mike Crismundo)
BUTUAN CITY – An estimated 10,269.28 board feet of confiscated lumber and logs were repurposed into school chairs to help fill the gap in the southern part of Agusan del Sur province.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Bunawan Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Forester Jerome H. Albia said these illegally-cut forest products were no longer disposed of in a public auction and instead donated to the Department of Education-Agusan del Sur.
Some of them were rotting and useless in government impounding areas.
“So, upon the concurrence of my regional office, my office decided to use it for school facilities instead of rotting in the depository areas,” Albia said.
Albia said they recently turned over chairs for elementary and high school students in San Francisco town, Agusan del Sur.
A Deed of Donation was signed by LGU San Francisco and DepEd-District II.
The ceremony was witnessed by the DENR-CENRO Bunawan, among others, and officiated by San Francisco Mayor Grace Carmelle P. Bravo.
The signing symbolized a strengthened partnership in environmental governance, education, and sustainable development.
Albia said that they are preparing another 5,342.4 board feet of confiscated lumber and logs to make more school chairs. “DENR is committed to help the DepEd in this endeavor.”