DAVAO City Councilor Leonardo "Happy LA" Avila III passed away Sunday morning after he suffered a stroke.
Avila has been confined at the intensive care unit of Davao Medical School Foundation Hospital since September, but never recovered.
He is the chair of the committee on environment and has been a staunch environmental advocate and critic on developments that affect the city's environment.
His fellow councilors shared the grief with Avila's family on his death.
"His death is a big loss to Davao City. He has contributed a lot in the crafting of policies especially on the protection and preservation of our environment," Majority Floor Leader Bernard Al-ag said.
Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang reminisced his moments with Avila through the ordinance they strongly pushed together.
"I am personally sad. We fought together the approval of an ordinance prohibiting mining in the city. He is good person," Dayanghirang said.
Lawyer Jesus Melchor V. Quitain, before the filing of final Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod Party candidates, said they had a tough time deciding the line-up for the candidates for council, as they wait for Avila's family to decide on his candidacy.
Avila's son, Lester Avila, filed his candidacy for him last October 16.
Meanwhile, the Interface Development Interventions Inc. (Idis) and other environmental organizations in Davao City also mourned over his death.
Idis executive director Ann Fuertes described Avila as one of the champions for greener Davao. She recalled that Avila has contributed a lot for the city and its people to have a better environment.
"When environmental issues did not yet figure notably in the lens of the policymakers, he set the tone and agenda for the City Council to look into protecting our watershed as a way of ensuring a greener future for the city," Fuertes said.
Idis advocacy coordinator Chinkie Pelino also said that before the councilor suffered a mild stroke in September, Avila was working with the group on the formulation of the Environment Code of Davao City.
"Sir Leo always reminded us to be calm and positive. He may have passed away but the environmental work goes on. We will help finish the Environment Code in his honor," Pelino said.
Idis board of trustee and environmental lawyer Mon Salas, meanwhile, underscored the importance of the legislation that Avila pushed to ensure that the environment will be protected.
Among the green ordinances that Avila authored or co-sponsored are the Anti-Smoke Belching Ordinance (2006), Ban Aerial Spray Ordinance (2009), Watershed Code (2007), and Establishment of Marine Protected Areas (2007).
He also authored Fisheries Code (2008), Rainwater Ordinance (2009), Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance (2010), Septage and Sewerage Management Ordinance (2010), and Organic Agriculture and Bicycle Ordnance (2010).
The anti-aerial spraying network Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spraying (Maas), who worked with Avila on the landmark Ban Aerial Spraying City Ordinance, also mourn over the councilor’s death.
"Avila will be sorely missed," Maas president Dagohoy Magaway said.
He added that the farmers and families affected of the aerial spraying, along with their supporters, deeply grieve over his loss.
The organic farming advocates, meanwhile, vowed to continue pursuing the mainstreaming of the organic agriculture in Davao City.
Geonathan Barro of the Masipag Mindanao said the councilor's death will not slow down its anti-genetically modified organism (GMO) movement in Davao City, but will fuel the commitment of the people to continue what he started.
During his term as City Agriculturist's Office (CAO) officer-in-charge, Avila implemented the City's order to stop the “BT Talong” field trials in the University of the Philippines-Mindanao campus in Barangay BagoOshiro in Tugbok District.
The national chemical safety watchdog group Ecowaste Coalition also issued statement mourning over the loss of the councilor.
Ecowaste president Manny Calonzo said the late Avila has been their trusted partner in protecting young children and other vulnerable groups from being exposed to toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury.
"We thank him for his push to enact an ordinance on Lead and Mercury Safe Procurement and Disposal in Davao City. We hope that the City Council will fast track its adoption in honor of the late public servant," Calonzo said.
Avila's remains currently lie in Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes, Camus Street, Davao City. (KVC/ICT)