(Eagle News)–Former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez has passed away after reportedly battling brain cancer, ABSCBN Corp. confirmed.
She was 65 years old.
Lopez was appointed as environment secretary in 2016.
She went on to close down mining firms that were found to violate environmental laws, a policy that suit well with some members of the Commission on Appointments, who rejected her appointment in 2017.
She was also vice chair of ABSCBN Bayan Foundation, which provides assistance to micro-entrepreneurs, and founded Bantay Kalikasan.
“Gina was the pillar of strength that pushed AFI to achieve what seemed to be impossible,” ABSCBN said in a statement.
“Her caring heart and selfless kind of love inspired people within and beyond the organization to help and serve others,” it added.
According to ABSCBN, instead of flowers, Lopez’s family is requesting for donations to AFI instead.
