by Alyssa Chrizelle N. Miclat
Two SBU-COL alumni: Atty. Aventino S. Gopico III (Batch 2015), the Claims and Conflicts Division Chief, and Atty. Illac G. Bohol (Batch 2014), the legal crisis prevention and management division chief of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shared their expertise and experience to the College of Law students and professors in a colloquium dubbed as “Green Justice: Addressing the Triple Planetary Crisis through Laudato Si’ and Legal Reform”, held last September 11, 2023 at the Jonathan Sy Auditorium.
Former Commission on Human Rights and Law Environment Organization (LEON) Adviser, Comm. Wilhelm D. Soriano, emphasized the need “to awaken the [consciousness] of the people of the world of the challenges in the environment caused by human actions.”
Beyond criticizing the features and penalties provided by various Philippine environmental laws and expounding on the salient points of Laudato Si’ encyclical, alumni speakers asked Bedan law students and professors to take concrete steps in helping mitigate the harmful effects of pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss: the triple planetary crisis.
Atty. Bohol encouraged Bedans to bring their own reusable water bottles, to segregate wastes, and to “be conscious of [their duty to our environment]” in school and at home. Also, she challenged the Law Student Government (LSG) and LEON to implement “Green Justice” mechanisms.
When asked about his stand on mining, Gopico said that he is “in favor of responsible mining.” He explained that the DENR’s function, as a regulatory body, is aimed at protecting the environment, for it issues permits to businesses that are compliant with implementing rules and regulations.
Furthermore, Bohol cautioned the students that the solutions to the country’s environmental problems require more than just mere amendment of the law, in the same way that mere amendment of the law would not automatically solve the problem.
The event was organized by the Law Student Organization and Law Environment Organization. It is with the approval of the San Beda University’s administration following the necessity for the awareness of environmental laws and the prior consequences brought by the global crises addressed in Pope Francis’ encyclical letter, Laudato Si.
THE BARRISTER 