Marcos swears in Yulo-Loyzaga as environment secretary

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday administered the oath of Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga and expressed confidence that her experience in the Jesuit-run scientific research institution Manila Observatory would benefit the agency.

Loyzaga was sworn in as environment chief after the Marcos administration’s third Cabinet meeting, which was also the official family’s first meeting since the President recovered from COVID-19.

“I am sure that her experience as former chairperson of the International Advisory Board of the Manila Observatory will be beneficial to the department she will lead,” Marcos said in a Facebook post.

Loyzaga pushed for more scientific research on climate and disaster resilience during her stint in the Manila Observatory’s International Advisory Board.

She was involved in disaster risk reduction management efforts of various groups, including the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Global Science and Technology Advisory Group and its regional counterpart, the Asia Pacific Science and Technology Academia Advisory Group.

She was also a trustee of the Ateneo de Manila University, a member of the science department’s committee on space technology applications and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization National Commission’s Committee on Science and Technology.

In a recent statement, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources welcomed the nomination of Loyzaga as its new secretary, saying it is looking forward to an effective and efficient implementation of its mandate under her leadership.

The agency has also expressed optimism that under Loyzaga, climate actions would be strengthened and that the Philippines’ compliance with the Paris Agreement on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions would be fulfilled.

The Paris Agreement, which was crafted by members of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2015, aims to limit the increase in the global average temperature to “well below” two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. It was signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2017.

The Philippines has pledged a 75-percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.