GREED has always won when people started trading the environment in exchange for profit and self-interest. While it may take a community to raise a life, the quality of life falters when its rivers are poisoned, forests are stripped bare, resources are pushed beyond survival, and livelihoods erode under the weight of man-made pollution.

It is the grim reality that philanthropists and environmental advocates like the late Gina Lopez courageously confronted. In communities harmed by illegal mining and poor environmental safeguards and policies, Lopez’s green legacy was fueled by long-overlooked issues of environmental degradation where human suffering follows, floods that drown lives, and unsustainable practices that deepen poverty. 

A Life Devoted to Nature and People

Regina Paz “Gina” Lopez was a Filipina environmentalist, renowned for her tireless advocacy and programs, bagging the UN Grand Award and becoming the first Filipino to be awarded the prestigious Seacology Prize in 2017. Despite being born into one of the wealthiest families in the Philippines, she devoted her life to public service, standing up to powerful interests to protect the environment and the communities that depend on it. 

Gina served as the former Secretary of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in 2016-2017 and contributed a lasting mark on the country’s environmental landscape. Even so, her advocacy didn’t go unchallenged. Her bold orders to shut down numerous destructive mining operations were criticized by lawmakers, calling her “crazy” for having the heart and courage to fight for a green future. 

Nevertheless, Gina remained unwavering until her years concluded as she passed away on August 19, 2019, after a courageous battle with brain cancer, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. Among her top fruitful initiatives are Bantay Kalikasan for mobilizing communities to protect forests and rivers; La Mesa Ecopark which offers green spaces and ecotourism opportunities to support local livelihoods; and the Pasig River Rehabilitation, which restored a vital waterway for both health and commerce.

Green Legacy in Action

Gina Lopez’s initiatives went beyond protecting nature, but they were also about empowering people and transforming their lives. Saving forests, banning illegal fish pens, and halting open-pit mining were all rooted in care for communities, especially the underprivileged, whose lives are always on the losing side of the equation whenever floods devastate the country. Her mission is to protect the livelihood of countless Filipinos and prevent unsafe environments, addressing both ecological and socio-economic needs. 

Through education, sustainable practices, and hands-on programs, Gina Lopez transformed landscapes and livelihoods alike. Her determination to uplift the communities while seeking harmony between nature and human life was a testament that caring for the earth is inseparable from caring for its people. 

A Legacy that Lives On

“The resources of one land are destroyed for the business interests of a few. It is social injustice,” Gina expressed, capturing the heart of her advocacy. Despite having her years and her service at an end, her legacy remains. 

Yet, her notable contributions were never meant to be final solutions but a spark, igniting a legacy meant to inspire others to act and carry the work forward. The socio-economic challenges the Philippines continue to face — the loss of livelihoods, persistent poverty, and environmental degradation are often the result of poor management and weak enforcement of green policies. The limited measurable gains and impact during her tenure should not be seen as failure but as a call to action — to transform short-term initiatives into long-lasting programs that protect both people and the planet.