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Saying selflessness is the call of the hour, Environment and
Natural Resources Secretary Michael T. Defensor has ordered all
DENR offices nationwide to cancel their Christmas parties and
instead do their share in helping the victims of recent typhoons
to get back on their feet and resume their shattered lives.
“This Christmas our hearts and hands should reach out
to the victims of the floodings in Quezon, Aurora and Nueva
Ecija provinces,” Defensor said. “We can do this by sending
relief goods in the form of used clothing, groceries, medicines,
bottled water and other such basic necessities to the flood
victim’s through different organizations. Otherwise, the least
we can do is share their loss and bereavement by carrying out
small sacrifices like refraining from extravagant activities.”
“Our simple gestures will mean a lot to our
fellow citizens who are still reeling from the devastation
caused by typhoons Violeta, Winnie and Yoyong. After all, we all
have at one time or another become victims or had relatives who
suffered in similar catastrophes in the past,” he added.
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Defensor said relief and rehabilitation efforts in the stricken
provinces are still going on, and it would be unseemly or even
callous to be splurging precious money and goods in parties
rather than using these where it will serve a better purpose.
“I
urge our DENR employees to seize a wonderful opportunity to find
the true meaning of Christmas. It’s in giving and sharing
selflessly, not in seeing these gifts and wallowing on food
amidst hunger,” he said.
In
line with the pronouncement of the Secretary, MGB-V Regional
Director Reynulfo A. Juan cancelled the traditional pompous MGB-V
Christmas party and instead celebrated the yuletide season in
the afternoon of December 16 with a holy mass and snacks among
themselves minus their respective families.
The
celebration was highlighted in the morning by a year-end
appraisal where some 13 technical papers were presented by
technical personnel coming from the Mine Management, Geosciences
and Mining Environment and Safety Divisions; reports on the 2004
financial utilization and personnel administration;
accomplishment of the mineral laboratory section and the Daet
desk office and in the afternoon, by the handing of loyalty
awards and the Christmas message by RD Juan.(LDValdez)
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