Reviving the Promise of Mindanao through the Appointment of Gina Lopez as DENR Secretary
A Statement of Support from Concerned XU Community Members

For the longest time, we, Mindanaoans, have been singing paeans to the promises of Mindanao — land of rich biodiversity and natural resources. But these are promises that have easily been overshadowed and broken by dark moments of truths over the years. At the threshold of the new millennium, exploitation of the bountiful wealth — stretching from our primary watershed areas in the mountains down to the coastal life-giving abundance of our seas — is still widespread, and the problem of abuse of natural resources and indigenous peoples remain largely ignored, up until the designation of Gina Lopez as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) came about.

But this designation is not without opposition. Today we hear of relentless clamor to dismiss her appointment, hinged upon her “lack of administrative experience and competence to lead the department, (having) a poor track record in leading and managing environment and eco-tourism projects.”

To many of us in Mindanao, however, Gina provides a whiff of fresh air to an environment of destruction and wanton disregard for its stewardship. Never has our island heard a voice so brave as to champion the protection of our lands and seas. Perhaps it is no irony that it has taken a woman to resonate the pleadings of Mother Nature to take care of our Common Home. It is the same call expressed by Pope Francis in his critique against unregulated consumerism and irresponsible development, and on his lamentations on environmental degradation and global warming when he issued his revolutionary encyclical, Laudato Si.

Enthused as we are by her bold pronouncements to close down irresponsible mining activities that have lopped down our rich forests and polluted our waterways, we have finally found a leader who has the courage to empower and inspire people to be co-creative stewards of our common home.

In our parallel commitment to environmental stewardship, we — the students, faculty, formators, staff, and alumni of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan — give our strong support to the appointment of Gina Lopez as DENR Secretary.

We stand up for Gina Lopez. We stand for the protection of our environment.∎