Masungi stands by validity of caretaker deal despite doubts raised by DENR

Considered as one of the last green frontiers near Metro Manila and a haven for unique biodiversity, the Masungi landscape faces threats of quarrying, deforestation, land grabbing, and other illegal activities.

Masungi Georeserve Foundation, Handout

MANILA, Philippines — The Masungi Georeserve Foundation said statements from environment officials and members of the Senate that cast doubt on its agreement to restore and protect parts of the Upper Marikina Watershed discredit the hard work of its rangers and put their lives at risk.

In a statement Monday, Masungi called the pronouncements made by Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga during the agency’s budget hearing last week, including that the contract with the foundation is disadvantageous to the government, "libelous, irresponsible and baseless." Sen. Cynthia Villar, sponsor of the department's budget, also called the watershed project "wrong and illegal," according to an Inquirer report.

"We are deeply disappointed that after investing our own resources and risking our lives to help the government protect and restore the Masungi landscape, it now claims, five years later, that the Masungi Geopark Project (MGP) Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed with DENR Secretary Gina Lopez in 2017 is 'illegal', 'infirm', and 'disadvantageous to government,'" it said.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/11/22/2225658/masungi-stands-validity-caretaker-deal-despite-doubts-raised-denr