At a time when uncertainties brought about by climate change, environmental degradation and the increasing demands of national development can no longer be ignored, the country can find reassurance in the leadership of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Since her appointment by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2022, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga has brought much-needed changes to the table — with clarity, urgency, and a science-based vision guiding every action for the country’s environmental future.

In an exclusive sit-down interview with Daily Tribune, the environment chief painted a clear picture of how the agency transformed from a regulatory institution into a climate-forward, science-grounded steward of the nation’s ecosystems.

“The first thing we did when we started at DENR was to assume what they call a ‘climate-risk lens’ for all the ecosystems and all the natural resources that we have in the country, including water,” she explained. “We’ve mapped out what we call ‘risk and resilience potential’ — even for unprotected areas like coasts and forests. We’ve now subjected these to climate risk analyses.”

This approach, grounded in research and empowered by innovation, has led to the establishment of a Geospatial Database Office, a first in the country. This platform interconnects land, water, forests, minerals, and air into a dynamic catalog of natural assets — a foundation for smarter environmental governance. It is being enhanced with real-time satellite data and artificial intelligence for predictive analysis.

But Yulo-Loyzaga’s philosophy is not just about maps and data — it is about people.

To prepare for worsening typhoons, sea-level rise, and droughts, the department has completed and is now localizing the National Adaptation Plan, alongside the Nationally Determined Contributions Implementation Plan, in coordination with the Department of Energy, Department of Labor and Employment, and the National Economic and Development Authority, now called Department of Economy, Planning and Development.

For Yulo-Loyzaga, disaster risk reduction and resilience are the threads that weave together the country’s development agenda.

“If we cannot get water, if we cannot get food, if we cannot secure our energy operations and sources, if we cannot draw on our minerals for construction and infrastructure, we will have serious problems reaching our Philippine development goals,” she warned.

“For example, rice blooms at night… for every 1-degree change in minimum temperature, we could lose 10 percent in rice yield. That’s why we are watching those temperatures closely,” she said.

Through the Water Resources Management Office, now under the DENR through her efforts, the department is centralizing water-related efforts for the first time in the Philippines’ history.

To date, over 2,500 rivers in 421 river basins, 550 lakes, and 435 dams have been mapped.

This new integration has allowed DENR to strike landmark agreements with the National Irrigation Authority and the Department of Public Works and Highways to repurpose idle water rights and infrastructure, aiming to deliver potable water to 15 million more Filipinos — including 100,000 in island barangays.

Furthermore, DENR is now actively safeguarding four of the Philippines’ most critically endangered species — the tamaraw, Philippine eagle, Palawan cockatoo, and the dugong.

The Philippines, under the leadership of Yulo-Loyzaga, has rejoined the International Union for the Conservation of Nature after years of absence, reaffirming the country’s role as a biodiversity stronghold in the global environmental movement.

As the archipelago asserts itself as a “large blue nation,” eight new marine science research stations have been established under her leadership, increasing the country’s maritime domain awareness and unlocking sustainable potential in coastal and marine ecosystems. These initiatives also benefit coastal communities, especially fisherfolk.

“We need to be aware that there needs to be some conservation effort in terms of our mangrove systems,” she stressed. “Not only do these protect against storm surges… but they also serve as spawning grounds for our fisheries.” They even serve as carbon sinks under what’s called ‘blue carbon,’ which can one day enter the global carbon market.

Her tenure has also seen the launch of the 10 Million Trees in 3 Years campaign — a public-private reforestation drive targeting six critical regions. Philippine business leaders from the Aboitiz, Ayala, Lopez, MVP and SM groups have pledged their support, marking a historic alignment behind government and corporate environmental responsibility.

Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga’s career spans not just environmental management but also national security, disaster response, and science diplomacy. Formerly president of the National Resilience Council and executive director of the Manila Observatory, she helped implement international frameworks like the Sendai Disaster Risk Reduction Framework and the Paris Agreement on Climate.

Under her stewardship, the Philippines has been chosen to host the Board of the Loss and Damage Fund, a mechanism operationalized during COP28 to help vulnerable nations recover from the effects of climate change. This responsibility cemented the Philippines’ role in the global climate conversation.

Yet amid the international milestones, she remains firmly grounded in the daily realities of Filipino communities.

“We need to understand our dependence on ecosystems — forest or coastal — and how these have a direct impact not just on livelihood but on the economy in general,” Yulo-Loyzaga emphasized. “The economy doesn’t own the environment. It’s the environment that supports the economy.”

Through Project Transform, a program on local governance, the DENR is embedding this climate awareness in the grassroots — training LGUs on disaster preparedness, environmental protection, and multi-sector collaboration.

Indeed, Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga has emerged as a transformative figure in Philippine environmental leadership. Balancing the needs of business development, mining, and economic growth with science, justice, and sustainability, she exemplifies what a modern steward of natural resources should be.