8th GBK Awards Honor Environmental Heroes; Call for Filipinos' Next Environmental Defenders

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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!

Baguio, Dipolog, Makati, and Tagum cities join global We Love Cities campaign to promote sustainable cities

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The cities of Baguio, Dipolog, Makati, and Tagum are joining the global We Love Cities (WLC) Campaign organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The campaign aims to raise awareness and inspire citizens to support their cities’ sustainable urban development initiatives.

Coming from the One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) 2023-2024, a biennial global competition that helps cities meet their climate mitigation and adaptation goals, Baguio, Makati, and Tagum were named National Finalists for OPCC 2023-2024, granting them the opportunity to participate in the WLC Campaign. Dipolog City, the former OPCC 2021-2022 National Winner, is categorized among the "All-Star" cities, allowing them to rejoin the public engagement campaign.

“Filipinos across the country are very eager to support initiatives towards sustainability, and these four cities participating in this global engagement are role models for other local governments to follow,” Imee Bellen, project manager of the OPCC, said.

The We Love Cities campaign will run for the whole month of October 2024 and will encourage the citizens of each city to post on social media channels about the sustainable initiatives of their city that they love and support.

Baguio City has been focusing its efforts on roads and vehicles to cut emissions and create a cleaner environment. They also implemented vehicle-free Sundays on the Session Road, allowing residents and tourists to stroll and enjoy the shops, restaurants, and cafés.

As a signatory to the Cities Race to Resilience initiative, Dipolog City is part of a global movement that is driving ambitious climate adaptation actions and ensuring that the voices of cities like Dipolog are heard at the highest international level of climate change negotiations.

Makati City strengthened its commitment to addressing climate change with the declaration of a climate emergency in 2022. Since then, the city has aligned itself with the 1.5°C target for both 2030 and 2050 and has been implementing comprehensive and diverse climate actions.

Meanwhile, Tagum City envisions a sustainable and resilient future. Thus, to align its citizens with its sustainability goals, the city organizes community forums to raise awareness about climate change, emphasizing the significant impact each individual can make in mitigation and adaptation efforts.

“Cities are on the frontlines of climate mitigation and adaptation with their innovative solutions and strong public engagement. Their success in implementing policies and programs hinges on the support of the people they serve. That’s why the WLC Campaign promotes and recognizes the efforts of the city to make a positive impact on the environment while also providing an opportunity for their local citizens to be heard and give suggestions,” Bellen said.

The WLC Campaign will run from October 1 to 31, 2024. The city that receives the most number of website votes, social media posts, and suggestion submissions by the end of the campaign period will be declared the We Love Cities 2024 global campaign winner.

Campaign for your favorite Philippine city on your social media platforms by using the hashtags #WeLoveBaguio, #WeLoveDipolog, #WeLoveMakati, or #WeLoveTagum. For more information and updates about the We Love Cities 2024 campaign, visit welovecities.org

Angara visits 5 Northern Mindanao schools, leads first DepEd Management Committee Meeting in CDO

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As part of ongoing efforts of the Department of Education (DepEd) to address on-the-ground concerns, Education Secretary Sonny Angara visited five schools in Northern Mindanao and spearheaded the agency’s first out-of-town Management Committee (ManComm) meeting under his watch in his two-day official visit.

Secretary Angara visited the Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) and City Central School in SDO Cagayan de Oro; Kinanao Pamalihi Elementary School and Opol National Secondary Trade School in SDO Misamis Oriental; and Sinaloc National High School in SDO El Salvador City.

Sec. Angara personally checked in on teachers and learners and assessed the conditions of classrooms and facilities. He also took the opportunity to discuss DepEd's current programs, emphasizing key initiatives being implemented under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“We are here to assist you and I think with good coordination, mas marami rin tayong solusyon,” Sec. Angara said.

A key highlight of Angara’s stop at Kinanao Pamalihi Elementary School was the turnover ceremony of a Last Mile School building, a significant project dedicated to the indigenous Higaonon community. At City Central School, Angara also inaugurated a newly established Inclusive Learning Resource Center (ILRC). The state-of-the-art facility includes a hydrotherapy room, speech laboratory, computer laboratory, drone simulation facility, and a Madrasah classroom, catering to the diverse needs of the student population.

Angara also presided during the DepEd ManComm meeting, which focused on updates on the preparation of the agency in the upcoming international large-scale assessments including PISA and the Early Procurement Activities to be conducted this year. Additionally, the rollout of the Alternative Learning System – Senior High School (ALS-SHS) program was also discussed.

Joining Angara were other top DepEd officials, including members of the Executive Committee, as well as Bureau, Service, and Regional Directors from across the country. Some Executive Committee members also visited various schools, including Cagayan De Oro National High School, West City Central School, Gusa Elementary School, and El Salvador National High School.



Angara also attended the 53rd National and 14th International Convention of the Philippine Association for Teachers and Educators (PAFTE). Addressing participants, he laid out the department’s vision for advancing teacher education and professional development, underscoring the vital role educators play in shaping the nation’s future.