MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. formally swore in Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna as Acting Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) during a ceremony at Malacañan Palace on Friday, March 6, 2026.
Cuna steps into the role following the reassignment of his predecessor, Raphael Lotilla, who was appointed Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See. Malacañang first announced Cuna’s appointment on February 27.
Prior to this appointment, Cuna had served as DENR undersecretary from July 2017 until February 2026, and as assistant secretary from 2008 to 2017.
During a turnover event in Quezon City earlier Friday, Cuna emphasized his commitment to reviewing and enhancing internal procedures, aiming to strengthen environmental governance while supporting sustainable development and economic growth.
Cuna holds a Master’s degree in Public Management from both the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He earned his law degree at Ateneo Law School and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies at the University of the Philippines, Manila.
His public service career includes serving as city councilor for Manila’s 5th District from 2001 to 2007 and as director of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office from 1998 to 2001. He began in government as a Local Legislative Staff Officer V at the Manila City Council in 1995.
In addition to his government work, Cuna has taught law at the Arellano Law Foundation.
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