A Catholic bishop in the central Philippines has received a national environmental award for his advocacy on ecological protection and human rights on Oct. 24.
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos was among three individual awardees recognized during the 9th Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan (Environmental Heroes Award) at the Benito Sy Pow Auditorium at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Former ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro and Dr. Ana Marie Rilloraza-Leung were also honored in the individual category.
The biennial Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan (GBK) honors Filipino individuals and organizations involved in defending the environment, communities, and people’s rights. The event was co-organized by the Center for Environmental Concerns-Philippines and IBON Foundation.
Alminaza, who heads Caritas Philippines, renewed his call for communities affected by development projects to have a voice in decisions that shape their lives and environment.
The prelate said he accepted the recognition in solidarity with environmental defenders and communities who continue their work despite the risks they face.
“Receiving the GBK award was a touching recognition that I accepted in solidarity with all environmental defenders and communities who continue the work, often at great cost,” he said.
The bishop said environmental advocates are sometimes criticized for speaking about ecological destruction and questioning development driven by greed.
“As environmental defenders, we are sometimes called doomsdayers or killjoys because we speak about the destruction of the Earth and ask hard questions about greed and development. However, it is my experience that environmental defenders are full of courage, compassion, and hope,” Alminaza said.
“We defend the Earth because we love life. We know that we are connected to one another and to the land, water, and other living beings that sustain us,” he added.
Alminaza said he found it difficult to relate to being called a “Bayani” (hero) and preferred to be known as a “Tagapangalaga ng Kalikasan” (caretaker of creation).
He said his awareness of environmental degradation was shaped in part by growing up in San Jose, Sipalay, on Negros Island, a town shaped in part by copper mining.
The bishop also pointed to recent encounters with Indigenous communities in Western Visayas, including the Indigenous Ati community in Boracay and others facing displacement as large hotels and businesses advance in the name of development.
“Their situation asks us: Can we call something progress if the people whose homes, land, and lives are affected have little say in what happens to them?” he said.
Alminaza also cited an initial convening involving communities from six countries connected by the Mekong River.
“Their stories remind us that the river’s health and people’s lives are bound together. Those who depend on the Mekong must have a voice in decisions about its future,” he said.
He said farmers, Indigenous Peoples, fisherfolk, women, young people, and communities affected by harmful projects were among those present at the Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan gathering.
“The Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan awards helped emphasize that we need more chairs and tables where people can speak and be heard,” Alminaza said.
He linked that approach to “Hayuma” (repairing the nets), a Visayan term he uses to describe the work of restoring what has been damaged.
“We mend what is broken together. When people are being harmed, we stand with them, defend their rights, and help stop the harm. Then, we continue the work of mending together—protecting life and the environment, and restoring what displacement and exploitation have torn apart,” he said.
The organizational awardees were the Jalaur River for the People’s Movement, Alyansa ng Novo Vizcayano para sa Kalikasan, and Barikada ng Mamamayan ng Sibuyan.
Late community journalist RJ Ledesma was named the most distinguished awardee.
Ledesma was honored for his reporting on the struggles of peasants and Indigenous communities against large-scale infrastructure projects, land grabbing, and fossil fuel projects.
Alminaza and Altermidya Network Chairperson Raymund Villanueva received the award on Ledesma’s behalf.
“The One Negros Ecumenical Council proudly receives this award in celebration of RJ’s life,” Alminaza said during the acceptance.
He described Ledesma through the Hiligaynon words “Bagani” (hero) and “Hakson” (to embrace).
“Hakos Bagani — thats RJ – a hero’s embrace, a hero’s hug!” Alminaza said.
Hakson was also the name of an environmental organization established by Ledesma, which brought young people together to resist land grabbing and the destruction of ecosystems and communities on Negros Island while standing with farmers and Indigenous Peoples.
“On Negros Island, RJ’s journalistic prowess opened our eyes. He brought the stories of the struggling poor and the environment to the center,” Alminaza said.
“He challenged church people and other advocates to become a community that surrounds those who are suffering,” the prelate added.
Ledesma was among the civilians killed in Toboso, Negros Occidental, on April 19, 2026. He was remembered for championing ecological and agrarian justice.
“RJ’s witness was solidarity; he was at the heart of an island-wide embrace,” Alminaza said. “May RJ’s Hakos Bagani unite us still! Padayon (Keep going)!” he added.
