Revisiting the Masungi Georeserve
MANILA, Philippines — It was a fitting time to revisit the Masungi Georeserve, nestled perfectly in the Sierra Madre mountain range in Baras, Rizal, especially with the recent issues surrounding it.
I did it with family and friends on April 9, Araw ng Kagitingan, as a way to show our support for the Masungi Georeserve Foundation led by sisters Ann and Billie Dumaliang.
I have been to the place some years back, but I thought it would be good to visit again, especially because the Foundation is facing challenges from the government.
The foundation said that Blue Star, its conservation partner, has already received a 15-day notice from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ordering its eviction from Lot 10, where the georeserve stands. The DENR cited violations of its existing contracts.
The eviction notice lapsed on April 1, but from what I understand, there must be a court order to put it into effect.
In any case, below is Masungi’s position about the DENR’s order:
“This abrupt decision threatens not only years of dedicated forest restoration, wildlife protection and sustainable geotourism, but also the livelihoods of up to 100 hard working rangers and their families who have committed their lives to protecting Masungi.
“This eviction order weakens the very safeguards designed to protect Masungi’s lands. Any precipitous action to enforce it, and even just the threat of enforcement, can only embolden entities who have boldly asserted illegal claims in Lot 10 — claims that Blue Star has assiduously resisted through the years to ensure the land is not lost.
“The order undermines the efforts of those on the front lines of forest protection, making it harder to defend against illegal activities that threaten our forests and watersheds.
“Masungi is not just a conservation project; it plays a crucial role in protecting the southern Sierra Madre mountain range, often called the backbone of Luzon.
“The Sierra Madre, as well as the adjacent Upper Marikina Watershed, serves as a natural shield against typhoons and extreme weather, helping to reduce the impact of floods and landslides, which endanger countless
communities.
“We plead with President Marcos to intervene. The very laws that protect Masungi’s lands were put in place during his father’s administration, recognizing the importance of conservation for the nation’s future.”
In its statement, the foundation also urged the government to pause and review the DENR’s eviction order to allow for a fair and thorough evaluation, and to engage in open dialogue with all stakeholders to find a just and sustainable path forward.
The foundation also urged the public to visit Masungi and see what’s at stake.
As conservationists and co-founders of the foundation, Ann and Billie made it to TIME Magazine’s 2024 Next Generation Leaders List, which Masungi describes as “a prestigious recognition that celebrates 10 trailblazers from around the globe who are leading with empathy, challenging the status quo, and forging solutions for a brighter future.”
“While the Philippines consistently ranks as the deadliest country in Asia for environmental defenders, the Dumaliangs and their more than 80 rangers haven’t been deterred by physical or legal threats — whether from property developers, poachers, loggers, or the government.
“They’ve been targeted by disinformation and harassment campaigns, and this year the Philippine environment department announced plans to nullify the agreement that allowed Billie and Ann’s team to reforest and conserve the area, citing supposed constitutional issues.
“The sisters are open to renegotiating with the government, but they also say they’re more than ready to take their battle to court,” TIME said.
A beacon of conservation
During our visit, our guide AJ enthusiastically led us to the Discovery Trail, which is as beautiful as when I first saw it.
We spent nearly five hours to complete the trail on that scorching afternoon but it was well worth the trek.
We saw the wild plants, the thick greenery, the beautiful flowers, and enjoyed the crisp air. We saw the breathtaking view of the city below
We also learned from AJ how the place was before the foundation started its conservation efforts.
As the foundation said, “Masungi stands as a beacon of conservation success in the Philippines, proving that public-private partnerships can restore degraded landscapes and protect our natural heritage.”
It expressed hopes that with the President’s leadership, a fair and transparent solution can be reached for the benefit of all Filipinos.
I hope so, too.
I hope that both the DENR and the foundation can work together to continue the ongoing conservation efforts at Masungi, which our group personally witnessed during our trek.
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