DENR director expresses dismay over CA decision to reject Lopez appointment

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

THE director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in northern Mindanao yesterday expressed dismay over the Commission on Appointments’ decision to reject the appointment of Regina Lopez as environment secretary.

Director Edwin  Andot said many in the DENR regional office became  apprehensive after the announcement of the CA decision.

“Nago-ol kami kay basin  ang ipuli niya (Lopez) dili sama kaniya ug panglantaw,” matud ni Andot.

He commended Lopez, saying that since he assumed as DENR regional director in February, he did not see anything wrong with the way Lopez handled matters in the DENR, especially with how she dealt with players in the mining industry.

Andot said Lopez was against destructive mining, and not responsible mining.

He said technical directors, environment officers, and employees of the DENR in Region 10 would meet on Monday, and possibly make their stand known.

In the meantime, he said, the DENR in the region would continue to perform its tasks, and its operations would not be disrupted as a result of the CA’s decision.

Andot said he was waiting for instructions from the DENR central office. “Wala pa may  formal turn over ni Secretary Lopez sa mopuli niya, ma-o na nga kita dinhi sa regional office… I am waiting for further instruction as to what to do, administratively.”