MANILA - Newly appointed Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu spent his first day learning the ropes in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Cimatu first went to the Environment and Management Bureau to receive briefings on its specific mandate and current issues and concerns.

Sources said the new DENR chief will also proceed to the Forest Management Bureau and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority within the day.

Cimatu, a retired soldier, said he will be scanning and studying the terrain of the agency to effectively lead.

Aside from Cimatu, another military man, the late General Angelo Reyes, also became head of the DENR from 2006 to 2007, under the administration of then-President Gloria Arroyo.

Environmental groups earlier vowed to keep an eye on the priority projects of Cimatu who was appointed shortly after the Commission on Appointments rejected Gina Lopez.

These groups are hoping the new DENR chief will continue the reforms initiated by Lopez who drew the ire of the mining industry over the temporary suspension and closures of some mining operations.