In support to the government’s effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region X - Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) have donated relief goods and other essential items to frontliners and other stakeholders.

The Environmental Management Bureau X continues to enforce environmental laws particularly on Healthcare Waste Management. The EMB X also deployed the Provincial Environmental Management Units to randomly validate reports of compliance of industries to the Enhanced Wastewater Management to combat COVID-19. A Rapid Response Team was also deployed to handle environment-related concerns in select quarantine checkpoints.

EMB X through the leadership of Regional Director Reynaldo S. Digamo launched project DASIG, a vernacular word which means hopeful, locally used to encourage the community amidst the health crisis brought by COVID-19.

The EMB X distributed on April 7 a total of 69 liters alcohol-based hand rubs to frontliners. Personnel of EMB X produced 24 liters utilizing refined glycerin from Pilipinas Kao Inc. and 45 liters of ethyl alcohol requested from Tanduay Distillers Inc.

Eleven sacks (50 kg) of rice were donated to 110 members of the Macajalar Wharf Porter’s Association, Multi-purpose Cooperative in Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City.

One hundred five food packs containing rice, noodles, canned goods and one whole dressed chicken were donated to the local government of Barangay Puntod, Cagayan de Oro City for distribution to identified Persons with Disability. Barangay Captain Rexie A. Tinampay received the food packs from EMB X.

EMB X donated 1,872 food packs consisting of canned good and noodles. A total of 1,155 kilos of rice with boxes of canned goods, noodles and 1,410 pieces of eggs were distributed to 231 garbage collectors of Cagayan de Oro City through the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Offices.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Region 10 under the leadership of Regional Director Efren B. Carido distributed 20 liters of disinfectant, coffee, biscuits and washable face masks to frontliners in the checkpoint in Taboc, Opol, Misamis Oriental.

The J. R. Borja General Hospital in Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City was a recipient of the donation of MGB X consisting of 200 pieces of surgical masks and five liters of alcohol.

MGB X donated coffee and biscuit to frontliners at the checkpoint in Villanueva and Jasaan, Misamis Oriental.

As part of the implementation of the realigned Annual Social Development and Management Program (ASDMP), MGB X with Republic Cement Iligan, Inc. provided food packs to 100 indigents of Bonbonon, 87 in Kiwalan, Iligan City and 50 indigents of Pagawan, Manticao, Misamis Oriental. The MGB X and Republic Cement Iligan, Inc. also provided Personal Protective Equipment and medicines to frontliners and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) in Iligan City checkpoints and Barangay Local Government Units.

Under the ASDMP, MGB X with Oro NQA Enterprises Corporation provided rice to 500 indigents of Sitio Santa Ana, Natumulan, Poblacion and Mohon in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental. The MGB X with Epics Motors and General Merchandise provided food packs to 100 indigents in Barangay Villaflor, Oroquieta City.

Also under the ASDMP, MGB X with Holcim Resources and Development Corporation (HRDC) provided relief goods to residents of Barangays Calangahan, Lower Talacogon and Kaluknayan, Lugait, Misamis Oriental. Mining engineering students of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology who were stranded in Animas Bros. Const. Corporation, Iligan City received relief goods and basic toiletress from HRDC and MGB X.

The MGB X turned-over medicines, medical supplies and tools related to COVID-19 crisis control and mitigation for the community which targeted to cater 100 persons in Barangay Bunawan, Iligan City. Food pack, mineral water, face masks and disinfectants for 290 persons were given to the frontliners and BHERT members manning the checkpoints in Iligan City.

As of April 20, the MGB X with Animas Bros. Const. Corporation provided relief goods to health workers of Barangay Dioyo, Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental.

Through the ASDMP, selected households in Barangays Tambagan and Bulwa, Medina, Misamis Oriental received relief goods from MGB X and Integrated Sand and Gravel permit of Ferdinand H. Dularte. The MGB X with WHK Manufacturing and Trading Corporation provided relief goods to selected households in Sitio Manlauyan, Gango, Bukidnon. Sacks of rice and disinfectant were also provided to the community and checkpoints through the Barangay Council of Barangay Gango, Libona, Bukidnon.

Seventy frontliners manning the checkpoint in Barangay Biga, Lugait, Misamis Oriental received sacks of rice, canned goods, face masks and hand sanitizers while the Barangay Council also received 10 sacks rice from MGB X. (With reports from EMB X and MGB X)  #TayoAngKalikasan #WeHealAsOne (RPAO MR # 05-113-2020)