Secretary Antonia Loyzaga has commended officials and employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for their hard work and dedication to duty as she acknowledged their solidarity and support that enabled her to “weather the transition” during her first five months in office.

“There has been tremendous work done even in the last five months in setting the foundation towards our goal to make a lasting impact of change towards a resilient Philippines,” Loyzaga said in her message during the DENR Yearend Employees Assembly held last December 9.

“Marami pong salamat sa cooperation, collaboration and all the efforts that you have put in order for us to weather the transition from one administration to another,” Loyzaga stressed while describing as “extraordinary example” the commitment, professionalism and solidarity shown by the DENR workers.

Loyzaga likewise vowed to pursue next year plans to restructure the agency’s present setup in order to improve its capability to fulfill its mandate.

“The transformation is underway,” Loyzaga said, in a bid to ensure that the agency’s overall strategies are aligned with its priorities and programs.

Loyzaga likewise cited the need to make the most of the pledges of support from stakeholders that took part in the round of consultations designed to help the DENR improve its service delivery to the public, particularly the environment and natural resources sector.

“We already have garnered so many pledges of support from different partners. Let’s make the most of it and let’s show our public how we really deserve the respect from our partners,” Loyzaga said.

The environment chief explained that the basis of the integrity in the profession as DENR workers lies in the “shared responsibility for protecting our natural resources and also our connection with the spiritual” and called for this creed to be each one’s own mantra.

Loyzaga reminded the DENR officials and employees that they are all “environmental advocates and change makers” and should endeavor to embody “what it truly means to be ethical stewards of our God’s creation.”

“Our work is not easy, but we can make progress if we work together,” she stressed.

She ended her message with a call to support one another and reflect on “how much of a privilege it is to serve our country.” ###