Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary for Mining, Muslim Affairs, and Attached Agencies, Mr. Jim O. Sampulna has stepped in place of DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu after his official resignation on February 17, 2022. 

Acting presidential spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles confirmed on February 18, 2022, that Cimatu's departure was due to health reasons.

"We wish Secretary Cimatu good health as he transitions from his decades-long and stellar service in government to private life," Nograles said in a statement.

Before being appointed as DENR Secretary in May 2017, Cimatu is a retired Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and served as the country's Special Envoy to the Middle East with the rank of Ambassador under the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

According to a Memorandum from the Office of the President, Undersecretary Jim Sampulna was appointed as Officer-in-Charge of DENR, “until a replacement is appointed or until otherwise directed by this Office."

By: Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division