The 57-year-old Benguet native is perhaps best known for his involvement with the Save 182 Movement, which filed a petition to stop mall giant SM from earth-balling 182 trees at Luneta Hill, where SM Baguio is located.
His activism even extends outside the Cordillera Administrative Region. His group recently filed a case against the Department of Public Works and Highways for cutting approximately 1,200 full-grown trees along the Manila North Road, affecting the towns of Binalonan and Pozorrubio.
Although the court has dismissed both cases, this did not stop him from pursuing his advocacy. After all, Bengwayan, who is also called Doc Mike, believes that change can start in one's own backyard -- literally.
#MichaelBengwayan #environmentalist
