San Fernando City, La Union - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region- I (DENR- I) paid a very important tribute with the “Salamat-Mabuhay Retirement” rites for DENR- I Assistant Regional Director (ARD) of the Management Services Leduina “Wendy” S. Co at the DENR- I Social Hall on January 7, 2022.

The honoree and the birthday celebrant ARD Co, who rose from the ranks in the department, is a woman who possessed a very strong determination, a dreamer and environmental warrior, gallantly encountered countless challenges before she reached her current position as Director III in the DENR. She humbly took pride of her humble beginnings from the bottom to the top of her family life and colorfuI career. DENR- I Regional Executive Director Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo led the officials and workforce who attended and paid tribute to the honoree who is an active advocate of women’s rights like Gender and Development (GAD) and Regional Advocacy for Gender and Equality (RAGE).

Virtual messages were delivered by DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations and Environment Atty. Juan Miguel Cuna, former PENR Officer of Pangasinan Eligio Soliman, and former Finance Division Chief Teresa Unico. Messages form DENR- I regional and field offices, close friends and family members were also delivered during the event. Also present during the program is former DENR- I RED Samuel R. Penafiel and former DENR- I ARD for Technical Services and now DENR- II RED Gwendolyn Bambalan, who personally shared their respective memorable messages to the honoree. Also seen during the program was Pangasinan PENR Officer Engr. Cezar Cabansag and La Union PENR Officer and incoming OIC, Office of the ARD for Management Services Engr. Raymundo Gayo. ARD Co, a dedicated public servant, served the government for 42 years and 38 years of which in the DENR.

Right after the retirement rites of ARD Co, the installation of incoming DENR- I OIC, Office of the ARD for Management Services followed. Engr. Gayo was installed as the new OIC, ARD M. S. due to the retirement ARD M. S. Co. RED Barcelo administered the installation of the new OIC ARD Management Services. (ZLP- RSCIG)