Cimatu to allow responsible mining

Newly-appointed Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu on Tuesday said he is allowing  responsible mining to operate and as long as miners do not harm the environment.

"Hindi ko pa nakita 'yung sitwasyon ... Ako naman, mining is allowed as long as they're responsible, does not destroy our environment, as long as it is properly handled. Ganoon naman 'yon," Cimatu said in an interview on Radio dzBB.

"Ang sabi ko ngayon, I will go there personally ... Pupuntahan ko 'yung mga evaluation na hindi maganda. 'Yan ang makikita ko, madi-distinguish ko na ngayon," he added.

A former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, Cimatu was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday to replace Gina Lopez who was rejected by the Commission on Appointments last week.

Cimatu said he will be "moderate and calm" in implementing policies of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

He said he has yet to fully understand the situation at the department.

"Maiintindihan ko na rin yan. I will just continue 'yung mga naiwan na mga papers on the table, mga kung ano mang kailangan ma-review. At the same time, ma-process ko na din," Cimatu said.

"Yung character ko naman kasi moderate at tsaka kalma lang ako. 'Yun ang dating ko," he added.

He would be "honored" to meet Lopez, noting that he will try to gain the respect of her supporters.

"I will try my best to gain their respect. I admire the passion sa environment ni former secretary. I will be honored to meet her and try to get some insights sa environment," he said.

Cimatu said he is ready to face the CA. "I have placed myself in the justice, legal system sa mga investigations doon. At the end of the day, madi-dismiss naman 'yung mga finile nilang allegations." — Marlly Rome Bondoc/VDS, GMA News