Nobody better than Gina

Gina Lopez Photo by Jovic Yee

Outgoing Environment Secretary Ramon Paje on Thursday said he “could not think of anyone better” than antimining activist Gina Lopez to succeed him as head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

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

He added that Lopez’s “passion and track record on various environmental causes cannot be understated.”

While environmental activists lauded President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s choice, mining companies reacted negatively after Lopez accepted the appointment on Tuesday.

Lopez, who currently chairs the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation and the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, left for Japan on Wednesday, according to her staff.

She begged off from answering questions by e-mail until her return.