August 4, 2016 (1:47 PM)

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DENR Secretary Regina “Gina” Lopez expressing her sentiments regarding the environmental status of Mindanao. Photo by Alexis Matthew Reyes

DENR Secretary Regina "Gina" Lopez expressing her sentiments regarding the environmental status of Mindanao. Photo by Alexis Matthew Reyes

DENR Secretary Regina “Gina” Lopez expressing her sentiments regarding the environmental status of Mindanao. Photo by Alexis Matthew Reyes

Newly appointed Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Regina “Gina” Lopez held a press conference with members of various media outlets from all over the country at the board room of the Finster building of the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) last Aug. 4, during the first Mindanao Environmental Summit.

The summit, titled “Oya Mindanaw! State of the Mindanao Environment Day,” is a two-day event and saw the attendance of over 4000 participants.

Students from the Ateneo, as well as visitors from outside the university, participated during the event along with members of different civil society groups, and representatives from the different regions in Mindanao.

During the conference Lopez expressed her feelings about visiting the region.

“It is my deep honor… and my excitement to be here in Mindanao,” she stated.

During the course of her talk, Lopez emphasized the importance of social justice in the region.

“[My] commitment to Mindanao is towards social justice; and my definition of social Justice is that the resources of Mindanao must necessarily be enjoyed by the people of Mindanao,” she said.

Lopez also shared her sentiments about the region and also explained how the DENR was going to take a more proactive role in preserving the environment by working with the people of Mindanao.

“Mindanao is a wealth: a wealth of resources, a wealth of intelligence, and a wealth of creativity. It is my hope that our efforts here in Mindanao will be a shining example to the rest of the country… if the people of Mindanao are able to enjoy their resources, it is going to be a very different Mindanao in a very short span of time,” she expressed.

Lopez also exclaimed her wish for Mindanao.

“I want a paradise in Mindanao!” she exclaimed.

Later, she also explained how the DENR is going to audit all mining companies in Mindanao within two weeks. She also advocated for the use of renewable energy.

“The move towards renewable [energy] is the right thing to do. Renewable is getting there. We have access to geothermal, solar, [and] wind [energies]. We are moving to this direction; we want to prove that this can be done,” she added.

The press conference also saw the attendance of the University President Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ, who commended Lopez for her commitment to the environment. He noted that with the university’s past advocacies, the newly appointed secretary was an ally and a co-advocate for the environment.

“We are very happy to welcome her here today. Change was promised, and change is already happening.” Tabora stated.

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The summit also organized an ecological-themed exhibit called the “Kalipay sa Kinaiyahan Exhibit” at the Arrupe Hall.

Prior to the conference, Lopez also led a discussion on the environmental status of the Philippines, specifically that of Mindanao at the university’s Finster Auditorium. Laudatu Si enrichment lectures for students were also held, and lunch was served to all the participants at the Martin Hall of the school.

The summit will continue until tomorrow, Aug. 5 and will host a strategic planning workshop regarding the plans of the DENR for members and representatives of different civil society groups at the Davao Convention Center.



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