The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Davao Region has donated confiscated lumber through the government’s anti-illegal operations to families affected by the series of earthquakes in Mindanao last year.
A total of 31,892.54 board feet of lumber came from the DENR regional offices in Davao and Caraga, as reported in a BusinessWorld article.
DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu released an order last year to hand out seized lumber to help earthquake victims in Mindanao rebuild their homes.
The agency’s “mission is not only to have a cleaner and greener environment, but it also includes looking at the welfare of the people,” DENR Undersecretary for Enforcement and Muslim Affairs Jim O. Sampulna said.
Over 32,000 families remain displaced. Around 9,269 are still staying in evacuation centers as of January, according to the latest data from the national disaster management council.
A total of 45,085 houses were damaged, while 7,324 totally destroyed.
