NAMRIA officials, headed by Administrator Peter N. Tiangco, attended the turnover of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) leadership from outgoing Secretary (Sec.) Regina Paz L. Lopez to incoming Sec. Roy A. Cimatu. The simple ceremony was held at the DENR Social Hall in Visayas Ave., Diliman, Quezon City on 10 May 2017. Other DENR officials and employees, special guests of Sec. Cimatu, and members of the press were also there for the event.
The ceremony started with a prayer led by Undersecretary for Climate Change Service Atty. Analiza R. Teh, followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Chorale. Undersecretary for Administration, Finance and Management Demetrio L. Ignacio, Jr. delivered the welcome remarks, and mentioned that both the secretaries are known for their passion for the people specially the disadvantaged.
Usec. Ignacio, Jr. delivering the welcome remarks
Outgoing Sec. Lopez mentioned in her speech that it has been her honor and privilege to have worked with the DENR for the past 10 months. She said that her greatest hope and aspiration is for the department to continue to keep the flame of service and common good in their hearts. As someone from the private sector, she promised to help her successor because her passion is social justice. Sec. Lopez ended her speech by singing “Let it go” with her former staff.
Farewell speech of outgoing Sec. Lopez
Handing over of the DENR flag to Sec. Cimatu while the DENR officials look on
Undersecretary for Mining and Director of MGB (in concurrent capacity) Mario Luis J. Jacinto introduced incoming Sec. Cimatu to the attendees. In his speech, Sec. Cimatu said that his appointment completely caught him by surprise. He thought that he would just fade away like what General Douglas McArthur once said of old soldiers. He told Sec. Lopez that he hopes he can approximate even just 50 percent of her passion. Addressing everyone, he said he “will try to do his best as President Rodrigo Duterte’s point man in the daunting task of protecting the environment in all its forms.”
Sec. Cimatu addressing the guests at the turn-over ceremony
An Executive Committee meeting followed after the ceremony.
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