By Philippine News Agency
MANILA, May 8 -- Environment watchdog Greenpeace is seeking President Rodrigo Duterte's reinstatement of eco-crusader Gina Lopez as environment chief.
"We're calling on the President to re-appoint her," said Greenpeace campaigner Vince Cinches after Commission on Appointments (CA) last week rejected Lopez' designation as Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) head due to mining issues and other concerns.
Cinches said Lopez's environmental track record augurs well for her return to DENR.
"What she's done is unprecedented," he said.
Among Lopez' moves at DENR was suspending mining companies that failed passing the nationwide audit of this agency, he noted.
Before assuming DENR's top post, Lopez was active in cleaning up waterways and developing environment-friendly zones with sustainable livelihood for communities there.
On Monday (May 8), Greenpeace spearheaded in Metro Manila its protest against CA's rejection of Lopez.
Greenpeace protesters stormed DENR's head office and barricaded gates of this agency to demonstrate dismay over such rejection.
"CA betrayed us and violated our constitutional right to a healthful ecology so we must condemn what this body did," said Cinches.
He urged the public to make a stand for such right by joining Greenpeace's protest.
The Constitution's Article II Section 16 provides that the State "shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature."
Greenpeace said by appointing Lopez last year, President Duterte responded to public clamor for integrating environmental protection and conservation efforts into his governance platform.
Reinstating Lopez as DENR Secretary will enable the administration to truly continue pursuing such efforts nationwide, noted Cinches.
Aside from cracking down on erring mining companies, Lopez implemented President Duterte's order to decongest dying Laguna de Bay where aquaculture structures proliferated over the years.
Lopez also shifted DENR's thrust towards area development to protect and conserve the environment while promoting sustainable growth in the countryside.
"She outperformed her predecessors at DENR," noted Cinches.
Earlier, Cinches said Greenpeace is open to having President Duterte himself lead DENR -- as Lopez suggested -- with the ousted environment secretary playing a major role in this agency's protection and conservation efforts.
Given extent of the President's work, however, Cinches noted Greenpeace's priority appeal is for Mr. Duterte to look into the possibility of still re-appointing Lopez as DENR head. (PNA)
