Cimatu steps down as DENR Secretary

Sec. Roy Cimatu has resigned from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), citing health reasons.

Cabinet Sec. Karlo Nograles confirmed this on Friday after a social media post of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s letter accepting Cimatu’s resignation.

Environment Usec. Jim Sampulna has been designated as the agency’s officer-in-charge.

Cimatu, a former Armed Forces chief-of-staff, was appointed in late 2017 following the non-confirmation of his predecessor, the late Gina Lopez.

Though he initially supported Lopez’s ban on open-pit mining, Cimatu eventually lifted it before Christmas last year, citing the need for economic boost amid the COVID-19 pandemic.