Lopez may not be qualified as DENR secretary, says environmental expert

Regina Paz "Gina" Lopez, the incoming secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), may not be qualified to assume the post, given her "lack of scientific training and discernment," according to an environmental expert.

"I wish her well, but despite her good intentions I really think she is not qualified for this position and I am not alone in thinking this," Dr. Carlo A. Arcilla, professor of geosciences at the University of the Philippines, said in an interview with GMA News Online.

The former head of the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS), Arcilla now serves as the head of the NIGS Earth Materials Science Laboratory.

"The biggest obstacle I see is her lack of scientific training and discernment, which is revealed in her pronouncements," he said, citing a debate she has had with industry supporters.

During the debate, Lopez – a staunch anti-mining advocate – supposedly asked a mining supporter to choose between food and minerals, which Arcilla said was a "naive view" of mining.

"She says that mining areas are poor, implying that the poverty was caused by mining. On the contrary, because an area is mineralized, the soil will not be fit for agriculture, so there will be less source of income," the professor noted.

"I have seen hundreds of families alleviated from poverty by mining because the jobs provided the miners afforded the education that eventually pulled them out of the poverty grip," he added.

However, the outgoing DENR chief has a different view of his successor.

In an emailed statement Thursday, Secretary Ramon Paje said he could not think of a better person to succeed him than Lopez.

Her passion for environmental causes, and her track record for that matter, "cannot be understated," said Paje.

DENR in good hands

“I’m sure the incoming DENR secretary will do a good job. I feel that the department is in good hands,” he added.

Paje is stepping down from office on June 30, when the Duterte administration takes over government's helm from the Aquino administration.

But Arcilla noted there may be potential conflicts of interest with the appointment of Lopez.

"It is well known that the Lopez family is very much into the renewable power industry, which is in competition with coal, which is the cheaper option but which produces pollution. Will she ban coal power plants?" the professors said.

Among such companies are Energy Development Corp. (EDC), which owns geothermal, wind, and solar power facilities; First Gen Corp. (FGEN), which owns natural gas plants; First Philippine Holdings Corp. (FPH), which controls FGEN; and Lopez Holdings Inc., the parent company of FPH.

Arcilla, however, is of the same view as Lopez that irresponsible mining practices must be stopped.

"I definitely agree with Ms. Lopez that there are egregious practices of mining that must be stopped – those practiced by small-scale mining, those who take short-cuts and are not apprehended by authorities," he said.

"But to condemn mining wholesale is almost blindly ideological, because what cannot be grown has to be mined, and civilization rests on mining products (roads, buildings, etc.)," he added.

Lopez accepted the post late Tuesday, saying it was "an opportunity to make something good happen to the country."

The Mining and Oil index of the Philippine Stock Exchange fell by 4.09 percent on Tuesday, and by 7.31 percent on Wednesday.

Miners welcome her

In general, miners welcomed Lopez's appointment on grounds that President-elect Rodrigo Duterte pointed out he is open to mining as long as it is in line with Canadian and Australian standards.

"President Duterte has made clear his policy in support of responsible mining. All our mining operations are ISO compliant for environmental management systems and are world class. We congratulate the secretary-designate on her appointment and will work with her to promote responsible mining," Gerard H. Brimo, CEO of the country's biggest nickel miner Nickel Asia Corp., said in a statement.

"We welcome and support the mining policies President-elect Rodrigo Duterte announced at the Economic Summit here in Davao yesterday and look forward to working closely with Finance Secretary-designate Carlos Dominguez and the Cabinet's economic cluster," Jose Leviste, OceanaGold Philippines Inc. chairman, said in a separate statement Wednesday.

"We will also engage with  DENR Secretary-designate Gina Lopez to promote environmentally sensitive and responsive mining. We welcome and support a balanced policy between environmental protection and resource development," he added.

UP's Arcilla noted that Lopez would have to have an open mind once she sits behind the chief's desk at the DENR.

"I hope she will have the humility to listen to professionals who work with her, and provide sound environmental advice to President Duterte," he said.

Environmental economist Dr. Oggie Arcenas, also of UP, said that Lopez will have to shift from her stance on mining.

"She seems a little rigid in terms of her anti-mining stance... There might be a need for a little bit of adjustment. I see benefits in mining as well – if done properly," he said in another interview with GMA News Online.

"Investors see her as rigid. That's the reason why mining stocks are falling, because the perception is she's unreasonable. She needs to overcome that perception," he added.

The DENR is primarily responsible for the conservation, management, development, and proper use of the country’s environment and natural resources. – With a report by Virgil Lopez/VDS, GMA News