President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. on Wednesday met with Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga to discuss initiatives aimed at protecting the environment.

The Office of the President (OP), in its official Facebook page, released the photos of Marcos’ meeting with Yulo-Loyzaga at Malacañan Palace in Manila.

Marcos and Yulo-Loyzaga touched on environmental protection efforts that would help the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) fulfill its mandate to protect and conserve the environment, the OP said in its Facebook post.

“President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. met with the new DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga to discuss topics concerning our environment such as development, enhancement, up to restoration and regeneration of our natural resources, and digitizing databases and systems of the department,” it said.

The meeting was held a day after Marcos administered the oath of office to Yulo-Loyzaga as DENR chief.

As the new DENR Secretary, Yulo-Loyzaga is mandated to uphold the agency’s mandate that aims for the conservation, management, development, and sustainable use of the country’s ecosystems and natural resources.

Yulo-Loyzaga’s appointment came amid pressing environmental issues, which include disasters caused by climate change, environmental pollution, illegal wildlife activities, and various issues on land, mining, biodiversity loss and forestry.

In a statement posted on the Presidential Communications’ Facebook page, the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) said Marcos is confident that Yulo-Loyzaga is best fit for the job.

“The Chief Executive expressed his trust and confidence in the DENR chief, citing her stint as the chairperson of the International Advisory Board of the Manila Observatory will be vital in envisioning the agenda of the government to address climate change and other environmental issues,” the OPS said.

Marcos, in his official Facebook page, assured the public that he would conduct a thorough assessment of the programs and policies of departments and offices under the Executive Branch, including the DENR.

“Susuriin natin ng mabuti ang bawat plano, programa, at polisiya upang masigurado na nararapat at naaakma ang mga ito sa pangangailangan ng bawat Pilipino (We will thoroughly review each plan, program, and policy to ensure that it is appropriate and fit for the needs of each Filipino),” he said. (PNA)