(The Philippine Star) | Updated June 22, 2016 - 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines –
Anti-mining advocate Gina Lopez has accepted the offer of president-elect
Rodrigo Duterte to be the next secretary of the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR).
“After much
introspection, I decided to accept it,” Lopez said on the sidelines of an event
at the ABS-CBN compound last night.
“I was surprised
(because) I am not the usual choice. My stand on environment protection is
clear,” she added.
Lopez was attending the
presentation of awards for Excellence in Educational Transformation at the
ABS-CBN compound when she abruptly left the venue to answer a phone call from
Duterte.
“I just talked with him
a few minutes ago,” she told reporters after her conversation with Duterte.
“I told him, sir, I
just want you to know that I considered your proposal, I am deeply honored.
It’s such a controversial decision, but you decided to trust me... I give you
my firm commitment that I will do everything I can,” Lopez added.
Lopez chairs ABS-CBN’s
charitable arm Lingkod Bayan Foundation and Pasig River Rehabilitation Council.
She said she was not
expecting Duterte’s offer for the DENR post when she met with him on Monday in
Davao City.
A staunch anti-mining
advocate, Lopez said she would seek a dialogue with mining companies upon her
assumption as environment secretary.
She said she would
address climate change and air pollution as well as dynamite fishing and
illegal logging.
“The first thing I want
to do is clean the ranks of DENR. Those who are accepting bribes, your days are
over,” she said.
The appointment of
Lopez to the DENR came weeks after Duterte stressed the need for someone who
can help him address the destruction of the environment caused by mining.
Duterte’s aide,
outgoing Maribojoc, Bohol Mayor Jun Evasco, expressed his interest to head the
agency.
Evasco was a former
member of the New People’s Army before he became chief of staff of Duterte.
Evasco will serve as
secretary to the Cabinet of the incoming administration.
Duterte warns mining firms
Duterte said Lopez,
whom he described as “ardent for responsible mining,” met him Monday to talk
about the impact of mining in some areas.
Duterte said mining
companies should plant trees and wash away the chemicals they leave behind to
avoid destroying the environment.
“If you don’t do it, I
will cancel the permit,” he said.
Duterte said there
would be a comprehensive review of all mining concessions to ensure that such
activities would not be harmful to the environment.
“If you are into it, be
sure you have enough resources or I’ll require you to go to Canada and
Australia to learn how to mine precious metals,” the incoming president said.
“When you’re spoiling
the land, I’ll cancel it (permit) without hesitation. That’s the bottom line,”
he added.
Duterte clarified that
he is not against mining but companies “have to do it right” because the
precious metals belong to the Filipino people.
“If you cannot do it
right, then get out,” he said.
Lopez’s appointment lauded
Meanwhile,
environmental advocates lauded the appointment of Lopez to the DENR.
“Her track record on
environmental causes cannot be questioned,” said former Puerto Princesa City
mayor Edward Hagedorn.
“President-elect
Duterte picked the right person to fight for what is right as she has proven with
La Mesa Dam, Pasig River and her anti-mining stance that is consistent with
what the president wants to happen,” Hagedorn said.
Lopez has been an ally
in the fight against large-scale mining and coal projects across the country,
Gerry Arances of the PMCJ said.
Sonia Mendoza,
president of Mother Earth Foundation, welcomed the appointment of Lopez as the
next DENR chief.
The Tagbalay foundation
led by Nim Gonzales and SEED Institute president Anthony Abaya also lauded the
designation of Lopez to the DENR post.
The Kalikasan People’s
Network for the Environment said Lopez was instrumental in gathering 10 million
signatures aimed at stopping mining in Palawan.
Kalikasan PNE national
coordinator Clemente Bautista Jr. said they witnessed Lopez’s leadership and determination
in protecting the environment.
“We linked arms with
her in demanding justice for slain environmentalist Gerry Ortega,” Bautista
said.
The group also lauded
Lopez’s stand against the construction of coal power plants in the country. – With Alexis Romero, Edith Regalado, Artemio Dumlao, Rhodina Villanueva
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