BUTUAN CITY – In a significant move to support education and sustainable development, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga donated 40 cubic meters of confiscated logs to Caraga State University (CSU). The formal signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) took place on December 12, 2024, at the CSU Campus in Ampayon, Butuan City.
The donated logs will be fabricated into double-deck beds for the College of Forestry and Environmental Sciences (CoFES) dormitory, as well as other essential facilities within the university. This initiative aims to provide students with improved living conditions while enhancing CSU’s infrastructure, which is critical to fostering future environmental stewards, innovators, and leaders.
The MOA was signed by CSU President Dr. Rolyn C. Daguil and DENR-13 OIC-Regional Executive Director (RED) Forester Maritess M. Ocampo, who was represented during the ceremony by Attorney Redemtor A. Oja, OIC-Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services (ARD-TS) and concurrent Legal Division Chief.
DENR Caraga OIC-RED Maritess M. Ocampo, in a message delivered by Atty. Oja, emphasized the broader significance of the partnership. “The collaboration between the DENR and Caraga State University extends beyond this donation. It serves as a stepping stone for future partnerships that can bring additional resources, innovations, and educational opportunities to the region,” she said.
The event was witnessed by prominent regional leaders, including Platinum Group Metals Corporation (PGMC) Vice-President for Operations Engr. Corsino L. Odtojan and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director Gay A. Tidalgo, represented by Mr. Dennis Solis.
Groundbreaking Ceremony for Forest Products Innovation Center
Following the MOA signing, the event progressed with the groundbreaking ceremony of the DOST Regional Forest Products Innovation and Training Center. The center is expected to serve as a hub for research, innovation, and skills development in the region’s forestry sector.
The groundbreaking was led by officials including DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) Director Rico J. Cabangon, DOST Regional Director Engr. Noel M. Ajoc, DOST-FPRDI Project Lead Engr. Edward Paul S. Marasigan, CSU President Dr. Rolyn C. Daguil, CoFES Dean Forester Roger T. Sarmiento, and DENR-13 OIC-ARD-TS Atty. Redemtor A. Oja.
Strengthening Collaboration for Sustainability
This event marks another milestone in the long-standing collaboration between DENR and CSU, aimed at advancing sustainable development and environmental education in the region. The donation and subsequent initiatives underscore a shared commitment to providing the next generation with tools, knowledge, and infrastructure necessary to address environmental challenges.
As Caraga State University continues to strengthen its facilities and programs, the DENR’s support reinforces the crucial role of public-private partnerships in fostering innovation, sustainability, and regional progress.