ATTY. TONY LA VIÑA AND AKAP-KA MANILA BAY HONORED AS NATATANGING GAWAD AWARDEES AT THE 8TH GAWAD BAYANI NG KALIKASAN 

PRESS RELEASE
October 15, 2024 

QUEZON CITY – The Center for Environmental Concerns-Philippines (CEC) and IBON Foundation held the 8th Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan on October 12, 2024. This biennial awards ceremony honors outstanding individuals and organizations leading the fight for environmental justice and protection. This year marks the first in-person event since 2018, as the past two were conducted online due to the pandemic.

The Natatanging Gawad (Most Distinguished Award), awarded either to individuals or organizations in recognition of their being an inspiration and example to the Filipino people for offering time and talents for the defense of the environment and advancement of the people’s welfare, was awarded to AKAP-KA Manila Bay, a grassroots alliance of church members and fisherfolk organizations addressing the issues faced by marginalized communities along the Manila Bay area, and Atty. Tony La Viña, a renowned environmental lawyer, climate policy expert, and academic.  

In his acceptance speech, Atty. Antonio Gabriel “Tony” M. La Viña described himself as a movement lawyer, emphasizing the profound connection between human rights and environmental advocacy. 

He shared that his clients kept him from retiring in 2020, saying, “Ang may kasalanan kung bakit hindi ako nag-retire at kung bakit ako nandito ngayon [ay dahil] sa mga kliyente at kasama sa Lumad Schools, sina Chad at Jurain…” Chad Booc was posthumously awarded the 7th Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan’s Most Distinguished Award, months after he and Jurain Ngujo were killed by the military in New Bataan, Davao de Oro. 

La Viña also recognized families of desaparecidos: Dexter Capuyan, Bazoo De Jesus, James Jazmines, Felix Salaveria, William Lariosa, and Rowena Dasig, highlighting that his acceptance of the nomination aimed to shed light on this issue.  

La Viña concluded his speech by urging everyone to, “Go to the people, immerse [yourself] in their struggle. You cannot talk about climate justice unless you see first hand the experience of climate injustice — Indigenous peoples, farmers, workers, the urban poor women and children, and other basic sectors. Pangalawa, pumunta ka sa ugat ng problema, hindi sa mga superficial symptoms…” 

Jonila Castro, representing AKAP KA-Manila bay along with Jhed Tamano and Anasusa San Gabriel, paid tribute to the communities and masses, stating, “Salamat po sa mga masa na hindi lang kami binigyan ng bubong tuwing bumibisita kami sa komunidad nila, kundi tinuring kaming pamilya.” 

She also acknowledged other environmental defenders, saying, “…Binabahagi din namin ‘yong parangal na ito sa lahat, sa bawat tanggol kalikasan na nandito, kasi lahat tayo natatangi. Ang piliing maging tanggol kalikasan sa isang bansang tinuturing kang terorista at kaaway ay natatangi.” In September 2023, state forces abducted Jonila and Jhed for their work as environmental defenders and at present are still continuing to endure judicial harassment.

Despite continuing threats to the environment and human rights, along with intensifying state surveillance and militarization, Castro urged the audience, “Magpatuloy din po tayo mula sa mga maliliit na alon hanggang sa maging dambuhalang daluyong ito na sasagupa sa mga sumisira sa kalikasan at tumatapak sa ating karapatan.” 

The 8th Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan also recognized Individual Award recipients: Atty. Grizelda “Gerthie” Mayo-Anda, who helped establish the People’s Monitoring Team to hold mining companies accountable and challenged Japanese-backed corporations engaged in reckless extraction of natural resources; Dr. Charito “Chito” Medina, an agroecologist advocating for food security through people-led farming; and Tatay Nestor Rotaquio, a farmer and fisherfolk leader who defended indigenous lands from privatization. Organizational Awardees included  the Katipunan ng mga Lehitimong Magsasaka at Mamamayan sa Lupang Ramos (KASAMA-LR), Pangasinan People’s Strike for the Environment (PPSE), and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines.

Lastly, CEC Executive Director Lia Mai Torres delivered her closing remarks, inspiring attendees to continue to fight: “Bagama’t malalaki ang ating nakakabangga, nakakapagod ang pagkilos at mabibigat ang ating pasanin, hindi tayo nag-iisa. Kasama natin ang mga tanggol kalikasan sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa. Nawa’y ito ang magsilbing lakas natin sa pagpapatuloy ng ating adbokasiya at adhikain sa gitna ng matitinding pagsubok at atake.” 

With a theme inspired by rivers and bodies of water, this year’s Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan reminded us that despite obstructions and barriers, water will always find its path to freedom, just as individuals, organizations, and communities will continue to fight for environmental justice amid worsening environmental and political conditions. 

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