by Cristina Cinco
The Wild Bird Club of the Philippines was given an award during the 8th Gawad ng Bayani ng Kalikasan (GBK) Awards held last October 12, 2024 at the Ignacio B. Jimenez Theater of the University of the Philippines – Diliman in Quezon City. The club was one of the three chosen winners in the organization category.
The primary organizers for the 8th GBK were the Center for Environmental Concerns-Philippines and the Ibon Foundation. The Center for Environmental Concerns-Philippines is a non-governmental organization that is geared towards defending people’s rights and equality regarding the protection and use of country’s natural resources. Ibon Foundation is a developmental information institution that undertakes socio-economic issues concerning the welfare of Filipinos. Other related socio-environmental NGOs were also involved in the selection process of the of the 8th GBK winners.
The Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan (GBK) Awards is a biennial event that acknowledges the efforts of societies and institutions in upholding the welfare of the people and the environment through the organization’s advocacies, actions and various initiatives. The GBK acknowledges Filipino heroism in facing the challenges of development as defenders of the environment which affects the quality of life and basic human rights of its people.
There were three categories for the award’s selection process – 3 notable individuals (Gawad sa Indibidwal), 3 organizations (Gawad sa Organisasyion) and a single esteemed recognition for the Most Distinguished Award (Natatanging Gawad.) Nominations for these three categories were submitted by various cooperating environmental conservation advocates nationwide.
The Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP) was chosen from a shortlist of six other nominees for the Gawad Organisasyon. The WBCP was cited for being a group advocating the preservation of the country’s avian species, for promoting environmental protection by facilitating numerous birdwatching activities to educate the public in enhancing their awareness towards the country’s biodiversity. The GBK also acknowledged the WBCP’s affiliation with both local and international conservation societies to campaign the current environmental issues in the Philippines. The club’s opposition to the reclamation projects of Manila Bay and the Pasig River Expressway were also commended by the awards organizers. The GBK has signified the WBCP’s achievement in keeping records of bird sightings, data management, and the publication of an annual Philippine Bird List that affirms the current state of the environment.
There were two other awardees for the organization category: the Katipunan ng mga Lehitimong Magsasaka at Mamayan sa Lupang Ramos (KASAMA-LR) and the Pangasinan People’s Strike for the Environment (PPSE.) KASAMA-LR is a farmers group campaigning for real agrarian reform alongside the group’s advocacy in food security through science based agricultural practices. Pangasinan People’s Strike for the Environment is a provincial based movement composed of environmental defenders from the various sectors in society with several courses of actions regarding the common goal in protecting Lingayen Gulf from black sand mining, the opposition to the additional future nuclear and coal plants as a source for additional power together with the proposed waste-to-energy projects.
Gawad Indibidual winners were Atty. Grizelda Mayo-Anda, Dr. Charito Medina, and Nestor Rotaquio. Atty. Mayo-Anda is lecturer at the Palawan State University advocating the practice of law with regards to environmental concerns. She has challenged mining companies by establishing the People’s Monitoring Team for due diligence in the environmental assessments of large scale projects. Dr. Charito Medina is an environmental biologist and an agroecologist who has challenged corporate-driven farming systems by championing people based farming methods including organic diversified farming, climate resilient technology and the strengthening of farmer organizations. Nestor Rotaquio is a farmer and fisherfolk from Gen. Nakar, Quezon. A chieftain among the Dumagats, he has championed the rights of the indigenous people defending their ancestral land despite claims of ownership from the local government.
The Natatanging Gawad was the Most Distinguished award bestowed to Atty. Tony La Vina, environmental lawyer, climate policy expert, and member of the academe. Atty. La Vina is a staunch defender of the Lumad community by demanding their right to education and the protection of their ancestral land.
The trophy was designed by visual artist and environmental activist Toym Imao. This token was in fabricated in cast iron then mounted on glass representing the key elements of the environment – sky, water and earth. Local flora and fauna designs defined the people’s livelihood in three main island groups of the Philippines namely Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The 8th GBK awards was dedicated to all environmental defenders who have been involved in the causes of nature conservation in the Philippines. The WBCP has achieved greater heights in terms of its birdwatching, keeping records and being involved in campaigns for the protection of critical habitats. WBCP members, you are all heroes! Everyone’s passion for the preservation of our bird species is a source of pride for the here and now, ensuring that the future generations of Filipinos will also enjoy the pleasure the existence of these avian treasures.