Former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez has passed away

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 19) — Former Environment Secretary Regina Paz "Gina" Lopez died on Monday after battling brain cancer, ABS-CBN Corporation said. She was 65.

She served as Environment Chief for several months after she was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016. Her appointment was however rejected by the Commission on Appointments in March 2017 amid issues over her controversial policies, among them, the closure of mining operations found to have violated environmental laws.

Prior to her Cabinet appointment, the environmental advocate served as the chairperson of the ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., the socio civic arm of ABS-CBN. She also spearheaded the Bantay Bata 163, a child welfare program that protects disadvantaged and at-risk children.

Lopez also founded Bantay Kalikasan, a program that advocates for the protection of the environment, where she championed the restoration of the La Mesa Watershed and rehabilitation of Pasig River. For these achievements, she was appointed in 2010 as the Chairperson of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission.

She was also named Vice Chairperson of ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation, which provides microfinance assistance to micro-entrepreneurs. 

In lieu of flowers and mass card, the family requested that donations be made to the ABS-CBN Foundation.

Lopez is the daughter of ABS-CBN Chairman Emeritus Eugenio Lopez Jr. and Conchita La'o. She is survived by her two sons.