MANILA – After a week’s deferment, the Commission on Appointments confirmed nomination of Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, whom President Duterte appointed to replace Gina Lopez, his first DENR nominee who was rejected by the bicameral body.
Reacting to his confirmation, Cimatu, a former Armed Forces chief of staff and special envoy to the Middle East, said, “I am pleased, honored and humbled by the vote of the I am excited about this opportunity to continue serving the public” as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
“The challenge for me now is to prove that President Rodrigo Duterte and the honorable members of the CA have made the right decision in placing their trust and confidence in my abilities to lead the DENR towards fulfilling the broad mandate entrusted to it.”
Cimatu said confirmation of his ad interim appointment “will allow me to continue to institute reforms, and pursue programs and projects that would truly protect the environment and improve people’s lives. This gives me enough inspiration to carry out the seemingly gargantuan tasks of protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable use of the country’s rich natural resources in the face of climate change and dwindling natural wealth of the nation.”
Cimatu vowed that DENR under his watch “will push for people-centered agenda in pursuit of environmental protection and sustainable development. It is high time that every Filipino, regardless of status in life, should have equal access to the benefits of clean environment and sustainable natural resources.”
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