“The best way to honor her is to heed what she tried to teach us,” Recto said.
The partylist group Anakpawis honored Lopez for her steadfast fight “against destructive mining, reclamation and other activities driven by profit that have negatively affected not only the environment but also the communities.” As environment chief, Lopez ordered the closure of mining operations that violated environmental regulations and recommended the cancellation of several other mining contracts.
“Her holistic approach, not only advocating a genuine pro-environment policy but also a deep concern on communities, further made her close to the people,” said former Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao.EcoWaste Coalition national coordinator Aileen Lucero lauded Lopez for taking on “powerful mining companies and bravely fighting for our threatened ecosystems and communities and for our common future.”