“We should not just be doing a day to day work just to be able to accomplish something. We must be focusing on the actual environmental issues”, the new Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) CALABARZON Regional Executive Director (RED) Gilbert Gonzales said in his speech during the Turn Over Ceremony and Acceptance of Leadership Responsibilities conducted on July 5, 2019 at the DENR Regional Office in Mayapa, Calamba City.

“Hindi dapat maging obstacle ‘kung gaano kalaki ‘yung problema… somewhere along the way we can find alternatives on how to address the issues. I want everybody na maging ganoon ang thinking natin.” He added.

RED Gonzales is a graduate of Mapua Institute of Technology with a degree in Civil, Environmental and Sanitation Engineering. He also has a Masters Degree in Environmental Studies from New Southwales University in Sydney, Australia. He is a Career Executive Service Officer III and has held various positions in DENR such as Regional Director of EMB Region V, Assistant Director  of EMB Central Office, Bureau Director of EMB, Regional Executive Director of DENR Region V and VII, and later assigned at the Office of the Undersecretary for Field Operations to oversee area development projects for Luzon.  He hails from the Province of Albay, in the Bicol Region.

Pursuant to DENR Special Order No. 2019-434 dated June 27, 2019, RED Gonzales is designated as OIC, Assistant Secretary for Field Operations-Southern Luzon and as RED for the CALABARZON.

Guest Speaker DENR Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna added that the Region is fortunate for having top caliber REDs, such Assistant Secretary for Field Operations - Southern Luzon Reynulfo Juan, Atty. Maria Paz Luna, and now, RED Gonzales. He also noted that the DENR Central Office is more than willing to help the Region.

Meanwhile, former RED, Atty Luna briefly expressed her gratitude to the Regional and Field Office employees. Atty. Luna will continue to report to the Office of the Regional Executive Director for work assignment.