CA confirms Cimatu as DENR secretary

Newly-appointed Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu poses for a photo before he was sworn into office by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte prior to the start of the 15th Cabinet Meeting at the State Dining Room of Malacañan Palace on May 7, 2017. Robinson Ninal, Malacanang Photo

The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the ad interim appointment of Roy Cimatu as the secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) after it denied the confirmation of Gina Lopez five months ago.

Senator Manny Pacquiao, chair of the CA committee on environment and natural resources, said Cimatu received “overwhelming yes votes.”

“Mr. President, it is my great pleasure and honor to report to the Commission, to the President, to the men and women of DENR, and to the whole nation of the overwhelming yes votes of the members of this Commission confirming and affirming the ad interim appointment of our 16th DENR Secretary in the person of Roy Cimatu,” Pacquiao said during the plenary session.

After his confirmation, Cimatu expressed excitement serving as the secretary of DENR, saying his leadership will push “people-centered agenda in pursuit of environmental protection and sustainable development.

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“I am excited about this opportunity to continue serving the public as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,” Cimatu said.

Cimatu said his confirmation will let him continue in establishing reforms and pursuing programs that would protect and develop the environment and improve the lives of the people.

“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,” Cimatu said.

“The challenge 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,” he added.