KAMPEON NG KALIKASAN
When Lito Atienza stepped out of the Mayor’s Office in Manila City Hall on June 30, 2007, he was very ready to become a private individual. He prepared for a long vacation, to give thanks to God and spend undivided attention to his wife Beng and their family, quite a first after his 30 years of public service.
He and Beng were planning on continuing their advocacies even as private citizens, their foundations will still continue, their house will still be open for charity works and service to the public. They were praying to God to lead them where He wants Lito Atienza to be. And God sent a speedy reply.
Secretary Lito Atienza (2rd from right) appreciates the proud bearing of an endangered juvenile hawk eagle turned over to the DENR by Romeo Rebusi (2nd from left). The bird was caught while preying on chickens inside Rebusi’s poultry farm in Tanay, Rizal.
It wasn’t too long when Atienza received a call for no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He was ready to turn any offer down. He even prepared a lengthy spiel, but when the President asked him, “Lito binuhay mo ang Maynila, tulungan mo akong buhayin ang ating kalikasan.”
She need not say anything more, he said yes and assumed office on July 18, 2007.
Since then, Sec. Atienza has been doing what he does best. Pouring all his
Secretary Atienza looks appreciatively at the Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) during a visit to the tarsier sanctuary in Canapnapan, Corella, Bohol.
heart and energy on doing what is good for his fellowmen. The stakes are higher but he was confident that he would excel again because God will always be on his side. And once again, Lito Atienza is spreading the good virus… this time on saving Mother Earth and preserving and proper management of the natural resources which he believes, could be the solution to poverty contrary to common notion that population growth causes the extermination of our resources.
To date, various projects are being implemented, with Sec. Atienza working
Armed with a stick and a sando bag in his right hand, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza leads local officials and residents in cleaning up the coastal area in Brgy. Bool, Tagbilaran City, Bohol
closely with the people in DENR. The Secretary has been everywhere, roaming the entire Philippines, continuously learning and discovering every treasure, inspecting every malpractice, implementing the laws and conceptualizing ways on maximizing through proper usage of these God-bestowed resources. He also is all over the world, attending conferences, initiating moves and signing pacts for proper utilization of our richness but never sacrificing and endangering the environment and promoting the fact, telling the world that the Philippines is abundantly gifted.
In less than a year, DENR has become one of the busiest government offices, through his leadership. He starts the week with the flag-raising ceremony which includes his week’s inspirational message. He makes it a point to let his people know his ideas and principles and influences them to work hard.
His office was also opened to everybody. Secretary Atienza holds his People’s Day every Thursday to personally attend to concerns and issues of people who were not accommodated through appointments. Together with his undersecretaries and hardworking staff, more problems are being addressed and given immediate solutions or answers.
His efforts are being rewarded, indeed. DENR’s latest projects are focused on preservation of AIR, WATER, and LAND — because these elements sustain LIFE. Saving endangered species and awareness on caring for all things that have life are also campaigned.
Rest of his political history:
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ATIENZA: RECORD BREAKER
ANG TUNAY NA AMA NG MAYNILA: BEST MAYOR MANILA EVER HAD
