Secretary Raphael Lotilla (PNA photo by Kris Crismundo
The Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) has expressed its support for the appointment of Raphael Lotilla as the new secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
In a statement released Monday, PNIA praised Lotilla’s extensive background in public policy, sustainable development, and regulatory governance, saying these qualifications make him well-suited to promote responsible mining and strengthen the mineral sector’s role in inclusive national growth.
“Secretary Lotilla brings with him a strong legacy of policy leadership rooted in law, sustainability, and public service,” the association said.
His decades of experience spanning government, academia, and the private sector, especially in energy and environmental reform, demonstrate a principled and comprehensive approach to addressing complex national issues, PNIA added.
The group sees Lotilla’s appointment as an opportunity to further develop a regulatory landscape that is science-based, investment-friendly, and predictable.
PNIA said it looks forward to collaborating with the new DENR chief to align environmental protection efforts with the country’s goals for industrial transformation and global competitiveness.