Wazzup Pilipinas!?
The Center for Environmental Concerns (CEC) – Philippines, in cooperation with IBON Foundation, Inc., recently held this year’s 8th Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan awarding ceremony this afternoon, at the Ignacio B. Gimenez Theater, Kolehiyo ng Artes at Literatura, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, to honor citizens and grassroots organizations who have taken extraordinary steps to safeguard our natural resources and uphold justice.
Among the recipients for this year’s Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan for the Individual Category are: Atty. Grizelda ‘Gerthie’ Mayo – Anda, lawyer recognized for her ‘People’s Monitoring Team’ initiative to bring to the government’s attention the effects large-scale projects have to the environment and the public; Tatay Nestor Rotaquio, indigenous chieftain, farmer, and fisherman from Gen. Nakar, Quezon who bravely faced off against invasive projects that threatened their ancestral lands and their rights to cultivate where they reside; and Dr. Charito ‘Chito’ Medina, agricultural scientist who rallied with others to attain the writ of kalikasan against the genetically modified ‘golden rice.’
Among the recipients for this year’s Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan for the Group Category are: Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, an organization dedicated to raise awareness on nurturing and protecting the avian biodiversity in the Philippines; Pangasinan People’s Strike for the Environment (PPSE), an alliance of Pangasinan locals who actively campaigned against offshore mining and nuclear power plants in their province, which led to the abduction by state forces of their conveners Eco Dangla and Jak Tiong earlier this year; and Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid – Lupang Ramos (KASAMA – LR), composed of courageous and steadfast farmers and organizers who have been fighting for their right to till their lands and stay in their community since 2010, practicing communal farming and agroecology.
In a turn of events, this year saw two recipients instead of traditionally just one for the Most Distinguished Award. First is Atty. Antonio Gabriel ‘Tony’ La Viña, lawyer for the environment and its defenders, climate expert, and academician, was lauded for his legal aid to Lumad victims when the Save Our Schools Network faced attacks from state forces. This made him collectively part of the efforts in restoring and preserving not only the remaining forestlands in Mindanao, but the culture of its local people as well.
GBK also hailed Alyansa ng Mamamayan para sa Pagtatanggol ng Kabuhayan, Panirahan, at Kalikasan sa Manila Bay (AKAP KA – Manila Bay) as recipient of the Most Distinguished Award, in recognition of their undeniable efforts in protecting the environment and people of Manila Bay despite being continuously targeted by attacking state and private forces. The awarding body reiterated their long-standing fight against power giants such as the notorious San Miguel Corporation and their destructive reclamation plans; as well as the enduring spirit that two of their organizers, youth activists Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro, have shown even during the time they were forcibly disappeared by state forces, and now that they continue to face vilification and trumped up charges.
As the 8th Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan awarding ceremony ends, let the nominees and awardees be our inspiration in continuing the struggle for environmental and social justice. See you on the streets this Indigenous People’s Month and Peasant Month!
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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