Fisherfolk opposes confirmation of Roy Cimatu
Manila, Philippines – The militant fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA-Pilipinas) opposes the confirmation of Roy Cimatu as Secretary to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Cimatu’s confirmation hearing was deferred on September 20 after the Commission on Appointments (CA) decided to review the issues raised by the oppositors against the environment secretary.
For its part, the fisherfolk group rejects the confirmation of the environment chief for allowing reclamation activities to continue; an opposite of his predecessor Gina Lopez who refrained from issuing environmental compliance certificates (ECC) to any reclamation projects due to environmental catastrophe it would pose to marine environment and livelihood of the fisherfolk.
“Cimatu has completely aborted the positive reforms of Gina Lopez in the environment department. He brings the DENR back to its traditional orientation as the number one facilitator of destructive projects at the expense of the environment and the livelihood of the people,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA Chairperson said in a statement.
Presently, there are more than 100 reclamation projects approved by the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), an attached agency of the DENR, covering almost 40,000 hectares of coastal areas throughout the country. All reclamation projects need to acquire ECC from the DENR to proceed.
“We strongly oppose the confirmation of Roy Cimatu as top environment chief. He is morally and politically not suitable to head the environment department due to his corruption-tainted track record and a notorious defender of environmental plunderers while he was still a military officer of the Philippine Army,”
“We want no less than the likes of Gina Lopez to lead the environment department in order to continue pro-environment reforms that are also beneficial to the Filipino people,” Hicap said.
The continuation of confirmation hearing of Secretary Cimatu is scheduled today. ###
