By Filane Mikee Cervantes
MANILA, June 21 (PNA) — ABS-CBN Foundation Chairperson Gina Lopez has accepted the offer of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“I just talked to him just a few minutes ago, so after much introspection, I decided to accept it,” Lopez told reporters in an ambush interview on Tuesday.
“Nagulat nga ako eh, because I’m not the usual choice. My stand on the environment is very clear but this is what I really believe in, na kung alagaan ang kalikasan at kung gawin sa paraan na may pakinabang ang komunidad na doon nakatira, I am very, very sure we can eradicate poverty,” she added.
Lopez, who is strongly against mining activities and coal-fired power plants, said she was “deeply honored” of Duterte’s offer in spite of the “controversies” arising from her decision.
“I give you my firm commitment that I’ll do everything that I can and it’s not only to protect the environment but what I really want to do is to eradicate poverty,” she said.
