MANILA, April 16, 2009- Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales leads the 2009 Fr. Neri Satur Awardees for Environmental Heroism.
Heherson Alvarez, Presidential Adviser on Global Warming and Climate Change Secretary said that Rosales is recognized as an instrument of environmental activism.
The awarding ceremony will be held at the NBN 4 studio in Visayas Avenue, Quezon City on April 18, 2009.
Rosales is vocal on various environmental issues and a strong supporter of the advocacies of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Global Warming and Climate Change (OPACC) and Earth Savers Movement.
The cardinal has also inspired the creation of ecology desks in parishes and the use of the pulpit as an avenue to strengthen awareness campaign on climate change.
The Fr. Neri Satur Award for Environmental Heroism is given to individuals and groups from various sectors all over the country that have devoted their efforts in protecting the environment.
The awardees are being acknowledged for their advocacy on the reduction of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions which are foremost contributors to climate change.
The awarding ceremony is one of the highlights of the week-long Earth Day celebration of OPACC and Earth Savers Movement on April 19-25, 2009.
This year's theme is "Earth Survival: Climate Change Solutions."
A native of Bukidnon and known as a "green priest," Fr. Neri Satur was known for his defense of the country's remaining forests.
Fr. Satur lost his life in fighting for his convictions. As a deputized forest ranger, Fr. Satur confiscated truckloads of timber being brought down from the mountains of Bukidnon, earning the ire of illegal loggers.
He and his supporters - backed by then Bukidnon Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, himself a "green priest" - intercepted these trucks and worked for the arrest of illegal loggers.
On Oct. 14, 1991, three men, allegedly hired by the illegal loggers he angered, killed Fr. Satur. His head was smashed by a rifle's butt. Later, he was shot pointblank with a shotgun. (Kate Laceda)