Raphael “Popo” Lotilla has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Philippines. Before her current appointment, Lotilla served as Energy Secretary, replacing Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga as part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet reshuffle.
Energy consumer group ILAW also expressed support for the designation of Undersecretary Sharon Garin as Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Energy (DOE), citing her experience and openness to evidence-based policymaking. The group highlighted Lotilla’s leadership in advancing renewable energy and said his move signals stronger alignment between environmental and energy policies. ILAW urged continued collaboration among government, civil society, and the private sector to build a greener, more resilient energy system.