ENVIRONMENT Secretary Roy Cimatu must be grinning from ear-to-ear after President Rodrigo Duterte lauded his efforts and commitment to protect the environment during the Chief Executive’s “Talk to the People” last August 26.

President Duterte cited Cimatu’s contribution to the country particularly his achievement in the rehabilitation of Boracay Island and Manila Bay.

“In not so many words, talagang industrious ka. Typical of a military upbringing. Salamat sa contribution mo sa bayan natin,” the President said to the DENR chief.

Cimatu in his report, said that after the Boracay rehabilitation, the water quality of Boracay was down to 50 most probable number/100 mL (mpn/100mL), making it fit for swimming and other contact recreation activities.

On October 26, 2018, Boracay was reopened to the public, which according to Cimatu, strengthened tourism and generated employment.

The island again gained international recognition after its rehabilitation.

Conde Nast Traveller, recognized as one of the most distinguished and trusted authorities on lifestyle travel, named Boracay as “the best island in Asia” and one of the 30 best islands in the world for 2019.

As for the Manila Bay mission, President Duterte said that it is only Cimatu who took the cudgels in cleaning up the historical bay.

“For so many years you had every chance to do it (clean up Manila Bay), was there anybody willing to take the problem by its horn? Si Cimatu lang, magpasalamat tayo,” President Duterte said as he addressed the critics of the “dolomite beach” in Manila Bay.

The President also commended Cimatu for his eagerness to address the Manila Bay pollution as he emphasized that the task to clean up was “not an easy task,” but Cimatu took charge.

“Gano’n karumi ang dagat when Secretary Cimatu embarked sa kanyang expedition to clean Manila Bay, it is not an easy task,” the President pointed out.

Aside from the Manila Baywalk geo-engineering interventions and beach nourishment projects, Cimatu said the Manila Bay Task Force was able to partner with private entities to dredge rivers and esteros discharging into Manila Bay and construct a solar-powered sewage treatment plant.

As for President Duterte’s Build Back Better program, Cimatu said; “Mr. President, as you said build back better, and for us build back better, build back greener, build back bluer for the water, and build back healthier.”