PRESIDENT Macapagal-Arroyo has named Mines and Geosciences Bureau Director Horace Ramos as the new secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita yesterday announced the changing of the guard at the DENR, adding that the President also appointed Maricar Imperial director-general of the Office of the Political Coalition Affairs (OPCA) as Cabinet Secretary.

Ramos replaces Eleazar Quinto who was named acting DENR Secretary only last December 29.          Quinto takes over OPCA as its new director-general.

Imperial replaces Silvestre Bello III who resigned effective Tuesday to focus on his senatorial campaign.

Ermita said the President has yet to choose the replacement of Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño who retired last Monday.

Asked why Quinto was transferred to another agency barely two months since being named acting DENR boss, Ermita said any change in a government agency is a prerogative of the President and based on her personal assessment.     Tess Bedico