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BY MAE SINGUAY
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Friday, May 5, 2017
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BACOLOD City – A labor group was dismayed by the Commission on Appointment’s (CA) rejection of the appointment of Regina Paz “Gina” Lopez as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
“It is unfortunate that the interests of big mining companies prevailed over the welfare of the Filipino people,” General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) secretary-general Wennie Sancho said in a text message.
According to Sancho, Lopez had the “passion and ability” to regulate the mining industry and fight for the right of the people to live in an environment where natural resources are not exploited.
“Lopez was right,” he said. “If you want a confirmation, don’t go against big business interests.”
The outgoing Environment secretary believes “business interests” were factored into the CA’s decision.
“It is very sad that in the CA, clearly, business interests have run the day,” she said after the rejection of her appointment. “I think that needs to be reevaluated. How can a body mandated to make decisions based on common good make a decision based on business interests?”
GAWA condemned the CA’s “unjust decision” and commended Lopez for her “courage and bravery as an advocate [of] the environment.”
While he respects the decision, Negros Occidental vice governor Eugenio Jose Lacson he found it “unfortunate” that the CA did not confirm Lopez.
Lopez clearly showed willingness to go head-on against miners who violated laws, he said.
The mining opponent was the second appointee of President Rodrigo Duterte to be rejected by the CA. The first was Perfecto Yasay Jr. as secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
During her 10 months in office Lopez ordered 28 mines closed or suspended, threatened to cancel 75 contracts, and banned new open pit mines./PN
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