DENR workers pooled P2.6 million cash aid forco-workers affected by Sendong

MARIZ REVALES and RIC CLET     A total of P2,619,892.00 has already been raised by employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to aid some 249 co-workers in Cagayan De Oro City (CDO) affected by typhoon "Sendong" last December 17, 2011.   DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje turned over the initial amount of P2 million in manager's check  to DENR-Region 10 employees union president Felixberto Capadocia in simple rites held Monday (January 9) during the flag raising ceremonies at the DENR Central Office grounds in Quezon City .   "More relief goods and cash donations are still coming in and these will be turned over to ease the suffering of our co-workers in Cagayan de Oro City," said Paje.   Some 40 boxes containing of essential daily items like clothings, footwear, toiletries, and beddings have already been either shipped or are ready for transport to CDO for distribution to the victims.   "We do hope that our modest contribution would go a long way in easing the suffering of our affected co-workers and their families," Paje said, lauding the humanitarian gesture of the members of the K4-DENR Employees Union (DENREU) who pooled together their resources in response to the fund-raising campaign he launched last December 21, 2011.   K4-DENREU is the association of all union chapters of the department's employees, numbering around 18,525 nationwide.   Paje likewise cited the response from the DENR's staff and line bureaus which pooled a total donation of  P1,198,850.   "The outpouring of aid spawned responses even from private loan and saving cooperative body  organized by some DENR employees," Paje said, referring to the  Forestry Saving and Loan Association (FOSLA) which gave P8,000.  (with report from PR/RPAO/DENR)