Posted on 10:42 PM, January 04, 2010 [ BusinessWorld Online ]
ENVIRONMENT UNDERSECRETARY Eleazar P. Quinto took over the department’s leadership yesterday, saying he will continue the programs of his predecessor, Jose L. Atienza, Jr. who has resigned to run for Manila mayor in the May elections.
In his speech at the turnover ceremony, Mr. Quinto said he will continue projects such as the dismantling of illegal fishpens in Laguna de Bay and Manila de Bay and implement the Supreme Court order to rehabilitate Manila bay.
"My term is limited because I am only given six months [until the end of the Arroyo administration’s term in June]. But I will strengthen the position of our personnel," Mr. Quinto told reporters.
"All employees should be practicing environmentalists," he added, referring to the 29,000-strong work force of the agency.
Mr. Atienza resigned last Dec. 28 despite a Supreme Court ruling allowing officials who have filed their certificate of candidacy to remain in office until the campaign period. The campaign for local bets is on March 26-May 8. Election day is on May 10.
Mr. Atienza, who was the Environment chief since July 18, 2007, will run against incumbent Alfredo S. Lim and former Philippine National Police chief Avelino I. Razon, Jr. Mr. Atienza was Manila mayor in 1998-2007.
Prior to being appointed acting secretary, Mr. Quinto served as the department’s undersecretary for field operations since September 2007, was a board member of the Philippine Reclamation Authority and former president of the Philippine Forest Corp. from February 2008 to March 2009.
Mr. Quinto, a mainstay of the classic television series Yagit, graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. He also served as the chairman of the Host Country Committee during the general assembly of the World Bank’s Carbon Finance Unit in Cologne, Germany in 2008.
In a statement, Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, welcomed the appointment of Mr. Quinto, saying his "work as field operations head would easily meet the requirements of managing the environment and natural resources of the country." -- Neil Jerome C. Morales
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