House members laud Heherson Alvarez for service to country

House members on Monday paid tribute to former Senator Heherson Alvarez after he succumbed to COVID-19.

House Minority Leader Benny Abante of Manila said Alvarez helped rebuild Philippine democracy after the EDSA Revolution in 1986.

"When the environmental cause was in its infancy in the country, Senator Alvarez was already one of its most ardent champions. Senator Alvarez distinguished himself by being a fearless leader who championed causes that needed to be fought, regardless of the odds or the popularity of the advocacy," Abante said.

“He would continue to fight the good fight when he was elected to the first post-Edsa Revolution Senate,  where he was considered the father of the Land Reform Law as the primary author of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, a centerpiece program of the Aquino administration that provided for the equitable distribution of land to landless farmers,” he added.

Abante also cited Alvarez’s authorship of the Clean Air Act, as well as his leadership as Chairperson of the Climate Change Commission.

"I condole with the family of the late Senator Alvarez and will pray that the Lord give them strength in these trying times,” Abante added.

Isabela Representative Inno Dy, for his part, said that Alvarez did his hometown of Isabela proud.

"The progress our country has made today with regard to preventing environmental degradation is due in part to his tireless efforts. The work of the late Senator Alvarez should inspire all of us to continue working together to address the environmental issues that we continue to grapple with to this day,” Dy said in a statement.

"Isabela has lost one of its most distinguished sons, one of his generation's most eloquent voices, and one of the country's most respected leaders. My family extends its deepest condolences to the loved ones of the late Senator Alvarez. May they find comfort in knowing that the province of Isabela and the whole nation mourn with them on this sad day," he added. -NB, GMA News