Palace mourns Gina’s death
As DENR secretary, she was steadfast in her service to the environment and to the Filipino people
Malacañang expressed its condolences to the family of Regina Paz Lopez who passed away on Monday.
Lopez, Gina to family and friends and known for being the long-serving chairperson of the ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI), was also the former Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary under President Rodrigo Duterte.
As DENR secretary, she was steadfast in her service to the environment and to the Filipino people.
Lopez systematized the termination of 28 mines that violated environmental laws.
She also fought against 75 contracts for upcoming projects, all of which were deemed unlawful.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo stated that Lopez “took the bull by the horns when she fiercely fought powerful interests in the mining sector, as well as in industries having a negative effect on our ecology.”
After 10 months of duty as DENR secretary, Lopez went on to form other organizations such as the I.L.O.V.E. or Investments in
Loving Organizations for Village Economies, which aims to “create models of love throughout the country” by mentoring, funding, and uplifting organizations sworn to loving service of the Filipino.
Another such organization driven by Lopez’s dedication to children’s rights is the Bantay Bata 163, a helpline where people can report cases of child abuse.
Lopez was also recognized for her work in the rehabilitation and restoration of the Pasig River and La Mesa Watershed.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Benjamin Madrigal Jr. also extended his condolences to Lopez’s family.
“Ms. Gina might have left us, but the AFP shall carry on with and continue to be inspired by her aspirations for a clean environment and safe and protected children” Madrigal said.
The ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. also released a statement, saying, “Gina was the pillar of strength that pushed AFI to achieve what seemed to be impossible. Her caring heart and selfless kind of love inspired people within and beyond the organization to help and serve others.”
“While we mourn with Gina’s family and loved ones, we also pray that her legacy continues to live on in the heart of every Kapamilya she had touched in her lifetime.”
“We will never forget her and will continue to honor her remarkable contributions not only to ABS-CBN, but the entire nation,” the statement concluded.
Lopez was passionate in her advocacies and strived to make everything she did benefit the country and its people. She died on Monday due to brain cancer. With
Lopez systematized the termination of 28 mines that violated environmental laws. She also fought against 75 contracts for upcoming projects, all of which were deemed unlawful.