Not exactly an opposite of ex-DENR chief

As the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) prepares to scrutinize the appointment of erstwhile Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff and retired general Roy Cimatu as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), many tongues are wagging if he could glide through the confirmation wringer. At 71 years old, Cimatu arguably is still in best physical fitness to cope with the rigors of a full-time civilian job in the Executive Department.

As DENR Secretary, Cimatu carries out the primary mandate to protect our country’s nature’s wealth and environment. His mandate is not only to run the Department for the remaining five years of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte but also for the years ahead to benefit the future generations of Filipinos.

The 25-man bicameral body chaired by Senate president Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has tabled on September 6 the confirmation hearings on the nomination of Cimatu to this Cabinet post. Two other Cabinet officials still have to hurdle their respective confirmation hearings at the CA, namely Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Rafael Mariano and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Paulyn Ubial.

So far, three Duterte Cabinet officials suffered rejection one after the other this year in the hands of the CA. They were former Secretaries Perfecto Yasay Jr. of Foreign Affairs; Gina Lopez of DENR; and Judy Taguiwalo of Social Welfare.

Cimatu, whose last post in government was formerly Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East, was appointed in May this year to replace Lopez following her CA rejection. Despite being emotional about her CA rejection, Lopez welcomed on a positive note that a former 4-star general was named as her successor. Lopez expressed her hopes that Cimatu, knowing his military background, will be open also to working with left-leaning groups on development projects. “And I hope he will have the heart to work with the indigenous people,” she added.

Based from news reports involving the DENR, Cimatu is apparently learning the ropes quickly. DENR insiders tell me they observed up close how Cimatu does his work without much difficulty despite being a neophyte in a civilian department. Actually, running the DENR should not be so far different from the hierarchal military organization that he once headed.

It is not a question of how much Cimatu knows the ins and outs of being at the helm of the Department. But it is rather on how willing he is to listen and respond to each and every task as DENR chief.

It would not be surprising to hear such comments that Cimatu has, in fact, a short learning curve. It was honed by decades-long military discipline he was exposed to in the past and the focus in doing his past jobs. Incidentally, President Duterte swore into office a good friend Mitch Cuna who he re-appointed as DENR Undersecretary.

In just three months, Cimatu reportedly was able to rally the DENR staff behind him to show to all that “environment is in the heart.” He created a project campaign titled Program for Environment and Natural Resources for Restorations, Rehabilitation and Development (PRRD). The PRRD was a response to fulfill DENR’s mandate in balancing both the regulatory and developmental approaches to environmental protection, conservation, and economic development.

Let me share with you a Letter-to-the-Editor sent by the newly installed DENR Secretary reacting to a column about the environmental problems bugging Boracay. Our country’s premier tourist destination, popular for its white sand beach and crystal blue waters, was hurting over these problems as discussed in this column on July 12. Here is Cimatu’s response: “Greetings! I extend my deepest thanks for your acknowledgment of my actions to address the garbage issue in Boracay Island after my personal visit and dialogue with the mayor of Malay, Aklan. Also, in your column which appeared today, I acknowledge the issue of illegal settlers on the island.

Please be informed that in March 2011, the DENR temporarily suspended the issuance of patents in Boracay Island with the then ongoing cadastral survey. Upon completion of the island’s cadastral survey in 2013, DENR Regional VI recommended the lifting of the suspension and the granting of tenurial instruments to alienable and disposable lands on the islands.

As for lots within or encroaching timberland areas, our Aklan provincial office has already been directed to submit the corresponding report and initiate court action regarding the legality of the title.

Indeed, the DENR is aware of the implication of land ownership on the economic potentials of Boracay Island. Rest assured, therefore, that this issue will be addressed using applicable modes of land disposition. With my best regards, Roy Cimatu.” Much of environmental laws have been passed to regulate the use of the vast natural resources of the Philippines, and yet, we remain on a standstill.

The problem roots from the insufficient implementation and enforcement of these laws. When he took over the helm at the DENR, Cimatu set everyone’s mindset to be guided by the strategic elements necessary to achieve this goal: All programs should be sustainable, research-based, adaptive, and collaborative.

Two weeks ago, the DENR gathered around 100 environmental groups and law enforcement authorities to a two-day event in Quezon City dubbed as “Ecosystem Resource Valuation in Support to Environmental Law Enforcement.” At the end of the event, a draft blueprint will be crafted so courts would be guided on imposing fines and penalties against environmental offenders.

“It is imperative to impose higher fines for the commission of any violation against the country’s environmental laws if we are to really curb offenses like indiscriminate disposal of garbage, illegal logging, wildlife poaching and smuggling, to name a few,” Cimatu told the gathering.

Cimatu has been keeping a low profile. But last week, he was defending the proposed P27.12 billion budget of DENR for 2018 at the Senate budget hearing.

Lately, his personality clearly unfolds with news of his firm stance on illegal dumpsites, clean water and even corruption. Cimatu’s chance to prove he can fulfill his vision will be decided by the CA on his own merits and not because he is the complete opposite of his immediate predecessor, at least not exactly.

Much of environmental laws have been passed to regulate the use of the vast natural resources of the Philippines, and yet, we remain on a standstill.