Malacanang has extended its condolences to the bereaved family of former Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Paz “Gina” Lopez.
In a statement on Monday, Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace “deeply grieves” for her passing.
“The Palace deeply grieves the demise of one of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s most passionate Cabinet members whose environmental advocacy and legacy remain unparalleled to this day.”
“Secretary Lopez, the 1997 International Public Relations Awardee for Excellence for the Environment and the 2009 Outstanding Manilan Awardee for the Environment, took the bull by the horns when she fiercely fought powerful interests in the mining sector, as well as in industries having negative effect on our ecology. She would be greatly missed.”