Seized lumber find good use in classrooms

LUCENA CITY—An estimated 75,353 board feet of confiscated lumber from Sierra Madre have been turned into school chairs and tables to help fill the gap for classroom facilities this school year, a regional official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said Friday.

Nilo Tamoria, regional executive director of the DENR Calabarzon, said the illegal lumber were no longer disposed of in a public auction and were instead donated to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the production of school desks.

Before implementation of the novel project, the seized logs and lumber were just left rotting and rendered useless in government impounding areas because of court restrictions on their disposal.

He said several lawmakers and local officials have been shouldering the expenses for the production of school materials as the DepEd has no funds for the purpose.

Tamoria said Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada (Quezon, 4th District) has already agreed to fund the cost of production of school chairs out of his allotted 9,603 board feet of seized lumber.

Lucban, Quezon, Mayor Moises Villaseñor will also produce chairs, office furniture and fixtures for Lucban Elementary School from the 9,603 board feet of lumber donated by the DENR, added Tamoria.