The Masungi Georeserve Foundation is pleading for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to intervene in the eviction order issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
In a statement on Wednesday, March 19, the foundation stated that they have been informed of the 15-day eviction notice issued against their conservation partner, Blue Star. According to them, the DENR is ordering its eviction from the lot where the georeserve stands.
“This abrupt decision threatens not only years of dedicated forest restoration, wildlife protection, and sustainable geotourism but also the livelihoods of up to 100 hardworking rangers and their families who have committed their lives to protecting Masungi,” the statement read.
Moreover, the foundation maintained that the eviction order weakens the safeguards designed to protect the Masungi’s lands. Any “precipitous action” to enforce the same; can embolden the entities who have asserted illegal claims over the lot. It added how Blue Star had “assiduously resisted” through the years, to secure that the land would not be lost.
The foundation described how the order undermines the “efforts of those on the frontlines of forest protection,” adding that it makes it difficult to defend it from illegal activities that threaten the forests and watersheds.
Masungi Georeserve Foundation attests that it plays a crucial role in protecting the southern Sierra Madre mountain range, which is dubbed the “backbone of Luzon.” According to its statement, the Sierra Madre, including the adjacent Upper Marikina Watershed, serves as a natural shield against typhoons and extreme weather. It helps reduce the impact of floods and landslides, which often endanger communities.
“We plead to President Marcos Jr. 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,” they said.
The Masungi Georeserve Foundation asked the government for the following:
- To pause and review the DENR’s eviction order to allow for a fair and thorough review
- Engage in open dialogue with all stakeholders to find a just and sustainable path forward
“With the President’s leadership, we believe a fair and transparent solution will be reached for the benefit of all Filipinos,” they concluded.
Earlier this month, the foundation lamented DENR’s cancellation of its joint agreement with Blue Star.
