Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra yesterday called on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to appoint a new environment secretary who will have the political will to protect the country's remaining forests and environment.

Navarra issued the call amid reports that the president is set to appoint a new environment secretary to replace Michael Defensor. He said the people should have a say on the new choice for environment secretary.

The bishop aired concern over continued illegal logging and the resumption of mining being allowed by the government.

Navarra also lamented the fact that Arroyo has yet to act on his complaint on the dismissal by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez of an illegal logging case filed against Don Salvador Benedicto Mayor Cynthia De La Cruz and her co-accused.

The public was not happy with the decision, he said.

Navarra said the country must have an environment secretary who is prepared to protect the country's remaining forest from destruction, even if those involved are people in power.

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye in a press statement yesterday, said any change in the composition of President Arroyo's Cabinet is designed to further strengthen the fight against poverty, bolster the rule of law and the country's competitiveness in the world.

"Changes in the Cabinet are expected to follow the strategic pace of reforms and programs under the sole and exclusive prerogative of the President," Bunye said.

He also stressed that changes in the government are not limited to the top echelons of the bureaucracy. "Day to day, we are engaged in streamlining and bolstering the overall capacity and effectiveness of the bureaucracy at all levels," he said.*CPG

back to top