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Newly-appointed Secretary of the Department of Environment and NaturalResources (DENR) Eleazar Quinto today vowed to continue the reforms initiated by his former boss, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, who resigned Dec. 28 to give more time and focus to his re-election bid as Manila mayor.

At the same time, Quinto called on the 29,000 strong DENR employees to be “environment multipliers” not only within the office but also in their homes and in their communities.

“Bilang pangunahing programa, nais kong bawa’t personnel ng DENR na maging environment and natural resources multipliers hindi lang sa oras ng trabaho kundi sa kanilang pag-uwi sa kani-kanilang pamilya at sa komunidad. Lahat ng kawani ay dapat maging practicing environmentalists (As a priority program, I would like that all DENR personnel will become environment and natural resources multipliers not only during office hours but also when they go home to their families and their communities. All employees should be practicing environmentalists,” Quinto said.

Quinto, whose appointment to head the DENR was announced by Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in last Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting in Baguio City, credited Atienza for the significant reforms he instituted in the department during the turn-over ceremony held this morning at the DENR’s central office in Quezon City.

Around 500 employees and officials of the DENR, bureaus, attached agencies and regional offices witnessed the event, which was highlighted by the ceremonial turn-over of DENR flag and key and awarding of a plaque of recognition to Atienza for his landmark initiatives in enforcing the rule of law for the benefit of the Filipino people and their environmental heritage.

Among these initiatives Quinto cited include the dismantling of illegal fishpens that had denied others the free and healthy use of Laguna Lake and Manila Bay, leadership in implementing the Supreme Court order to rehabilitate Manila Bay, the long-awaited enforcement of SC’s 1965 decision on the Ayala estate in Calatagan, Batangas, the filing of cases against Maynilad and Manila Water, and legal actions against local executives for failing to enforce the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

Quinto also gave the former DENR chief credits for propelling the department to earn higher public respect and popular support. “We shall remember you always as a father who holds life sacred and beautiful, and as a caring leader whose passion inspires,” Quinto said.

Quinto expressed optimism to turn the DENR work force into “environment multipliers,” by extending them the necessary training to become practicing environmentalists in their homes and communities. He also assured the employees to adhere to the Department’s merit system in the personnel selection and promotion processes.

Prior to his appointment as a successor for Atienza, Quinto was DENR undersecretary for field operations since September 2007. He also served, in concurrent capacity, as board member of the Philippine Reclamation Authority and as president of the Philippine Forest Corp. from Feb. 2008 to March 2009, putting order not only to the company’s finances but its programs and projects.

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