Tesda to turn ‘hot’ logs to cool chairs

Tesda Director General Joel Villanueva. tesda.gov.ph photo

From hot logs to cool chairs.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has donated over P13.7-million worth of confiscated lauan lumber to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to be turned into chairs and desks for the public schools.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje presented the lumber to Tesda Director General Joel Villanueva on Tuesday. The 137,726 board feet of lumber would make 11,477 armchairs.

The donation was part of the P-Noy Bayanihan Project in which the DENR turns over confiscated lumber to be made into desks, chairs and tables for the Department of Education.

“We are keenly aware of the immense benefits of the P-Noy Bayanihan Project to the enrichment of the education of our children,” said the environment secretary.

The P-Noy Bayanihan Project aims to reduce the backlog of 2.5 million desks in 45,000 public schools throughout the country.

Tesda provides the manpower, training and production facilities, while logistical support to the tune of P29.4 million is given by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Paje meanwhile disclosed that 435,285 board feet of lumber valued at P43.5 million were still being held at Pier 16 in Manila’s North Harbor. The wood, he said, would make 36,273 chairs and desks.