by Reachelyn Esona

Journalist RJ Nichole Ledesma’s pen was for the oppressed. He never left the side of the marginalized.

On the 9th Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan, Ledesma’s work was conferred the Natatanging Gawad on October 24 for his exemplary dedication and service to farmers and indigenous people in their struggle for their right to land.

Ledesma was among the Negros 19 who was killed in Toboso, Negros Occidental on April 19. He was 30 years old. 

Read: Bullets rained down in Toboso, residents tell fact-finding team 

Ledesma was on assignment on that fateful day. He was looking into the situation of peasant communities where solar farm expansion and wind-energy developments. 

In a press conference before the ceremony, AlterMidya Chairperson Raymund Villanueva narrated Ledesma’s bravery who immersed with the community not just to report or write but to  take part in the people’s collective struggle to protect the environment and the rights of the farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous people, and other underrepresented groups.

“This recognition for RJ is part of a significant contribution to our call for justice for him, for his fellow martyrs in the Toboso 19, and justice for all slain environmental defenders.” Villanueva said.

Ledesma was recognized for his coverage on land disputes, renewable energy projects, palm oil expansion and reclamation. He also documented life stories of sugar workers, landless farmers, and communities facing possible displacement. 

Among his notable works was an investigative report on the proposed 6,000 hectare palm-oil plantation in Candoni, Negros Occidental where he documented farmers and Indigenous People’s problem regarding land, livelihood, and the project’s social and environmental impacts.

Beyond community journalism, Ledesma established his own platform for creative writing and literary expression. He founded SPIT zines in 2017 where he promoted literature. He was also chosen to join Silliman University National Writers Workshop and 9th Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio Writers Workshop as a poetry fellow.

In 2020, he led Paghimutad-Negros where he took roles as a writer and editor of a publication that focuses on human rights reporting and grassroots storytelling. Later on, he became a regional coordinator of AlterMidya Network in Negros Island.

Aside from Ledesma, Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan also honored other organizations and individuals for their commitment to environmental defense.

The Gawad sa Organisasyon was received by Barikada ng Mamamayan ng Sibuyan represented by Elizabeth Ibanez, Alyansa ng Novo Vizcayano Para sa Kalikasan led by Fr. Vicente Tiam, and Jalaur River for the People’s Movement led by John Alenciaga.

Former ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Francisca “Teacher France” Castro of Talaingod 13 Network Makabayan, Caritas Philippines President Most Rev. Gerardo “Gerry” Alminaza, and Dr. Ana Marie “Doc Ana” Rilloraza-Leung received the Gawad sa Indibidwal for their contributions to community protection. (AMU, DAA)