- Gina Lopez died on Monday due to multiple organ failure
- Lopez was the long-time chairperson of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) and was a former Environment Secretary
- She is survived by her two sons
Millions of lives who were touched by her are mourning for the passing of former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary and ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. head Regina Paz “Gina” La’O López. She died at the age of 65 after a long bout with brain cancer.
Her last post on her Facebook page on August 1 was a video of Marcopper mining disaster in Boac, Marinduque while saying, “I am lying down having an infusion of 27000 IU of vitamin C for my immune system and feeling the healing of a LENYO mat for my health crisis and browsing through videos and I come across this and I remember my DENR days – and how painful it all was…I really do sincerely hope something can be done about the destruction that mining brings on.”
As a long-time chairperson of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc (AFI), Lopez has given birth to Bantay Bata 163, Bantay Kalikasan, Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig, No To Mining in Palawan, the reforestation of the La Mesa Watershed, TV program G Diaries promoting tourism while caring for the environment, and other programs under ABS-CBN Foundation
In a statement, ABS-CBN said, “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.”
It also said that with the passing of Lopez, “we lost a fervent advocate of children’s rights and protection, a passionate proponent of sustainable livelihood among the underprivileged, and an unswerving champion for environment preservation.”
She was appointed as the Chairperson of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission in 2010. Lopez also served as President Rodrigo Duterte’s first environment secretary for 10 months, or until May 2017, after the Commission on Appointments rejected her appointment.
