Incoming Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda today July 13 lauded the nomination by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of Ma. Antonia "Toni" Yulo-Loyzaga as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

‘’The appointment is timely and strategic given the triple threats of biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change to the Philippines,’’ Legarda said.

‘’I look forward to the DENR’s effective implementation of at least 10 landmark environments laws we have passed in the past decades, all sorely lacking in serious, strict and efficient monitoring,’’ she added.

Like another nominees of the Executive branch, Yulo-Loyzaga’s nomination will go through the public hearing process before the powerful bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA) that determines the fitness of presidential nominees.

The CA will then vote to bypass or confirm her appointment.

‘'Ms. Yulo-Loyzaga brings to the DENR a deep and broad understanding of the convergence of the environment, climate action, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development,’’ Legarda said.

‘’This is crucial as the Philippines strives to further strengthen the nexus of transformational and whole of government and society actions needed to address environmental challenges,’’ Legarda, an environmentalist, stressed.

‘’I am confident that, working together with relevant National Government agencies and development partners, and the scientific community, the DENR under the helm of Ms. Yulo-Loyzaga will provide and undertake critical environmental policies and projects to safeguard and protect the interests of the natural resources of our country, thus saving our people from more poverty and health crises,’’ she added.