The appointment of a politician with no solid track record in environmental issues further threatens to undermine the DENR as an agency tasked with the preservation and protection of our country's patrimony rights, the Alyansa Tigil Mina said today in reaction to the appointment of former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza as DENR Secretary.
"It is highly illogical and totally out of the blue," said ATM Coordinator Roy Calfoforo. "Atienza comes to the DENR with an empty portfolio."
ATM expressed doubts Atienza has a firm grasp on environmental issues. "Manila remains one of the biggest contributors to air pollution in the city," explained Calfoforo, "and its solid waste problem remains insurmountable, so how can Atienza deal with even bigger problems such as mining?"
"This is nothing more than political accommodation, which is characteristic of how the administration views the utilization of our country's natural resources," Calfoforo said.
"We fear that with Atienza at the helm of the DENR, GMA will intensify the drive to open up more mining operations in the country with a subservient secretary actively promoting the industry at the expense of indigenous peoples and communities threatened by mining," Calfoforo added.
Atienza the politician has not shown an iota of independence from Malacañang, added Calfoforo, "and it is highly doubtful he will demonstrate utmost regard for the environment and respect for the regulatory mechanisms available through the DENR to protect national interests against the onslaught of mining."
"We call on the administration to immediately reconsider its appointment and induce a participatory method to the selection of the new DENR secretary," suggested Calfoforo.
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