Yulo-loyzaga’s nomination as DENR chief gains strong support from stakeholders
AS Ma. Antonia Yulo-loyzaga was taking her oath of office on Tuesday as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), more groups have expressed their strong support behind her designation.
President ferdinand“bong bong” marcos jr. administered the oath of office of yul o-loyz ag a as DENR secretary in ceremony held at Malacañan Palace’s Study Room, the Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) said in a Facebook post. RTVM also released a short video clip of Yuloloyzaga’s oath-taking before Marcos.
Maynilad Water Services Inc. and the Million Trees Foundation Inc. on Tuesday added their voice in supporting of Yulo-loyzaga’s nomination by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.
As DENR Secretary-nominate, Yulo-loyzaga
will have to pass through screening by the powerful Commission on Appointments.
Who is she?
PRIOR to her nomination, Yulo-loyzaga served as chairperson of the International Advisory Board of the Manila Observatory. She also served as Executive Director of the Manila Observatory for nine years.
Loren Legarda, a former broadcast journalist and a newly reelected senator, said she was the one who convinced Yuloloyzaga to consider the nomination. Yulo– Loyzaga is also a former technical adviser of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation and former president of the National Resilience Council (NRC).
The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation is the country’s major private sector coordinator for disaster risk reduction and management.
On the other hand, NRC is a science and technology-based public-private partnership that supports government, communities, the academe, and the private sector in advancing the intersecting goals of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement, the New Urban Agenda, and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)’S Making Cities Resilient Campaign.
A laudable step
IN a news release, MTFI, represented by its Chairman Emeritus retired Police Gen. Reynaldo V. Velasco and President and Executive Director Mr. Melandrew T. Velasco, said the nomination of Yulo-loyzaga to head the government agency mandated to manage the country’s environment and natural resources is a laudable step by the new administration.
Maynilad President Ramoncito S. Fernandez, for his part, said: “We welcome the appointment of Secretary Yulo and she is an ally, especially in our common advocacy of reducing carbon emissions. We support her advocacies on climate change and disaster resilience.”
Fernandez earlier declared a statement of support during the launching of Maynilad’s Road to 1 Million Trees as part of its 15th-year celebration as a water concessionaire of the West Zone and for the Annual Million Trees Challenge of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).
Fernandez said that Maynilad is aiming for Climate Neutrality by the year 2037 which he described as an ambitious target.
“Carbon sequestration—through our reforestation and watershed rehabilitation initiatives—is going to be a major part of that effort and that’s where Environment Secretary Yulo will lead us to,” he added.
Science, climate expert
“HER expertise notably her policy pronouncements on climate will surely fast track the attainment of DENR’S vision of a clean and healthy environment as well as the sustainability of our natural resources,” MTFI Chairman Velasco said.
“We at MTFI believe that development can be attained without sacrificing our environment,” added Velasco who initiated the Annual Million Tree Challenge during his tenure as Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and continues to advocate reforestation to increase forest cover and to protect critical watersheds that supply potable water through the MTFI.
The DENR is an active partner of MTFI in its programs. Aside from providing planting materials and assisting in the validation of planted seedlings, it is also involved in treeplanting activities.