With its remarkable contribution to basic education, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Cagayan Valley was awarded as the 1st runner-up in the 2nd Gawad ACE BEN competition of the Department of Education (DepEd) during the awarding ceremony held yesterday in Tuguegarao City.

 

Gawad ACE BEN or Agency Contribution for an Ennobling Basic Education towards Nation-building is a competitive platform where regional line agencies and local government units in Cagayan Valley showcase their dedicated programs for students and support to basic education.

 

DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan said the region has long prioritized schools as beneficiaries in the disposition of confiscated forest products used for the construction of chairs and tables for schoolchildren.

 

Director Bambalan also mentioned her plan to strengthen the partnership with the education sector by facilitating the issuance of legal instruments for all school sites either through titling or proclamation.

 

Aside from the 4,580 board feet of confiscated lumber donated to schools this year, the DENR also led environmental education initiatives in schools and communities. It conducted youth camps and mall exhibits, and distributed information materials.

 

With the help of the ENR Ambassadors organized by the DENR, more students were engaged in environmental activities like tree growing, coastal cleanup, mangrove visit and community outreach program.

 

The awarding ceremony highlighted the 2nd Regional Public Affairs, Communication, and Information Congress of DepEd.#