Seized logs made into school furniture

MANILA, Philippines—Confiscated logs and timber have now been put to good use, filling classrooms with chairs, desks and bookshelves for public school children, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje  said Saturday that 54,303 pieces of school furniture and other fixtures have been built from undocumented logs and timber that the department had confiscated.

According to Paje, seven million board feet of wood have been turned into 48,620 chairs; 4,777 desks; 660 tables; 132 cabinets; 98 benches and 16 bookshelves.

Paje said most of the DENR-confiscated forest products, instead of being bid out, have been donated to the Department of Education.

He said the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority had helped in the endeavor, and through their cooperation, 21,000 school chairs were turned over to the DepEd from the 761,538 board feet of wood that the DENR supplied.

More than 27,000 chairs were also turned over to public schools through other organizations, including local government units and the Philippine National Police, that had sponsored the conversion of school chairs from confiscated wood.

Some of the donated wood were also used to repair school buildings and facilities.

The DENR said that since Paje took over the department, 12.06 million board feet of undocumented forest products have been seized. Seven million board feet were donated, and the rest are undergoing litigation or awaiting clearance for donation.

The department said its donation policy is in line with Executive Order 23, issued by President Benigno Aquino, declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in national and residual forests in the country.