MANILA - New Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu vowed to "safeguard" Philippines' mining laws, after taking over the controversial post on Wednesday.

Cimatu, a former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said he has lived by 3 Ps throughout his professional life, and will continue his duty to "protect" (one of his 3 Ps) at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

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"As the secretary of the DENR, P is to protect the environment and safeguard the mining laws that they will be and they should be implemented," he said in a welcoming ceremony at the agency's Quezon City office.

Cimatu took over the leadership of the agency from Gina Lopez, who meted several suspension and closure orders against mining firms which failed an official audit.

Lawmakers last week voted against Lopez's confirmation for the post.

During the turnover ceremony, he told Lopez, whom he described as "a very passionate and ardent advocate of environmental protection," that he wishes he could approximate only half of her passion.

"I will try to do my best as President Duterte’s pointman in the daunting task of protecting our environment in all of its forms...while promoting the wise and proper use of these God-given resources for the public good," he said.

He also appealed for cooperation among industry players, DENR secretaries, international partners, and various clients of the agency to work together to accomplish their "critical responsibilities."

As he appealed for patience as he "scans and studies" the terrain in the agency, Cimatu vowed to listen to all the stakeholders.

"I intend to listen to all the voices out there and make full use of our powers and resources to ensure that these various concerns, some of which oftentimes clash, will be properly and judicially addressed," he said.

"For in the end, we at the DENR will only be as effective as our various constituents will help us to be," he added.

Lopez earlier said all stakeholders must give Cimatu a chance after several of her supporters, many of whom are environment advocates, scored the former military man for lack of experience.

The Chamber of Mines, which staunchly campaigned against Lopez's confirmation, said it was "cautiously optimistic" with Cimatu's appointment.