DENR-FPRDI project donates wood processing facilities to CARAGA
December 17, 2012
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Forest Products Research and Development Institute’s (FPRDI) Php 30 million-Mobile Sawmilling Project in Agusan del Norte spearheaded three milestone events on 21 November 2012 -- the turn-over of four woodmizer mobile sawmills, groundbreaking of a wood manufacturing facility, and inauguration of a 5000-bd. ft. capacity FPRDI furnace-type lumber dryer at the Nasipit Vocational School (NNVS).
Led by FPRDI Director Romulo T. Aggangan and DENR’s Forest Management Bureau (FMB) Director Ricardo Calderon, the activities were meant to provide facilities to convert confiscated logs and flitches into lumber for the manufacture of school desks and chairs. The project is being implemented with the help of DENR-CARAGA, Department of Education (DepEd)-CARAGA and the local government of Agusan del Norte, and is supervised by For. Francisco G. Lapitan of FPRDI’s Technology Innovation Division.
“The DENR thought of a project that would make use of flitches, lumber and logs confiscated by DENR from illegal logging operations which are rampant in the CARAGA region. Executive Order No. 23 strictly prohibits logging in the country’s natural and residual forests,” noted Dir. Aggangan.
“The project is a dream come true,” said Hon. Enrico R. Corvera, Vice Governor of Agusan del Norte. He added, “We are thankful to DENR and FPRDI for donating mobile sawmills in our province as they will help provide DepEd with much needed school furniture.”
The woodmizers were turned over to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices in Bayugan, Bunawan, Loreto and Nasipit, Agusan del Norte. Participants to the Mobile Sawmilling and Maintenance Training also received their Certificates of Attendance.
Present during the ceremony were For. Nonito Tamayo, Regional Executive Director of DENR-CARAGA; Dr. Diosdado Orellaneda of DepEd; Dr. Elvina Moron, Secondary School Principal IV at the NNVS, and concerned FPRDI officials and staff.
“We are looking forward to a strong partnership with FPRDI and DENR as we mentor our students on the use and proper maintenance of various woodworking facilities turned over to us,” stressed Dr. Moron. ### (Maylin M. Punzalan and Apple Jean C. Martin, 29 November 2012)
