DENR PENRO Antique initiates COVID-19 relief operations

At a time when helping hands are needed most, the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources – Provincial ENR Office (DENR-PENRO) in the province of Antique gathered their people with their combined financial resources and efforts to extend help where they are most needed amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Led by PENR Officer Andres T. Untal, the employees and officials of Antique province donated 10 percent of their salaries to come up with activities that brought support to the frontliners in this fight against the invisible enemy and provided food for the people of  Antique province.

Total cash donations gathered as of April 14, 2020 amounted to Php 165, 756.40.

The first recipient of the relief operations was provided to the Philippine Red Cross-Antique, that worked with PENRO staff to establish a communication system in Pandan quarantine areas and improve the communication linkages in Northern Antique border and vicinities on April 12, 2020.

The established communication system is also aimed at enhancing the communication access of the 17 barangays covering the Sibalom Natural Park (SNP) which are placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine due to COVID-19 as well as to improve enforcement activities in the Park.

The DENR had also dispatched its Forest Protection Officers and DENR Philicon Forest Rangers to help establish a temporary quarantine area at the boundary of Nabas and Pandan, Antique.

Technical Services Division Chief Mirza G. Samillano of PENRO Antique, represented PENRO Andres T. Untal in turning over the amount of Php 35,000.00 to Dr. Pablo S. Crespo, President of the University of Antique last April 13, 2020.

The amount will be used to procure materials for the 100 pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) of the frontliners working at Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital (ASMGH) and Antique Medical Center (AMC). Our modern day heroes well deserve this kind support.

Moreover, a total of 28 sacks of rice and groceries/goods were also procured using the donated cash amount. The PENRO Antique COVID-19 Relief Operations Committee in coordination with the municipal mayors and Municipal Social Worker Development Officers (MSWDOs) have identified a total of 819 families who will benefit from this relief operations. The beneficiaries come from six municipalities and covers nine barangays.

“We appreciate this initiative of PENRO Antique through the leadership of PENRO Andres T. Untal. Our strength lies in unity and we need to be one in fighting this pandemic. As DENR, we do not only care for the environment and natural resources. We also care for our people and others who are less fortunate,” DENR-6 regional diretor Francisco E. Milla Jr. said.