Nancy Binay questions DENR order for developer to vacate Masungi

Senator Nancy Binay on Saturday expressed alarm over the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' (DENR) decision to scrap its contract with the developer behind the Masungi Georeserve initiative in Rizal.

"Masungi is for our children and our children's children. Ngayong pinaba-vacate nila ang Masungi Georserve in 15 days, ano ang vision at plano ng DENR para mapangalagaan at maprotektahan ang Masungi (Now that the developer has been asked to vacate the Masungi Georeserve in 15 days, what is the vision and plan of DENR to preserve and protect Masungi)?" Binay asked.

The senator posed the question as she stressed the DENR's responsibility under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act to ensure the conservation of protected areas.

Last Friday, the DENR announced the cancellation of its over two-decade-old deals with Masungi Georeserve-developer Blue Star Construction and Development Corp. due to alleged issues on legality and failure to execute contract terms.

In its notice to Blue Star, the Environment Department cited the following reasons in canceling their 2002 Supplemental Agreement:

• Lack of required Presidential Proclamation declaring the subject matter of the contract for housing purposes
• No document to prove that the proposed construction went through regular procurement or bidding process
• Failure to deliver the 5,000-unit Garden Cottages housing project within five years from signing on November 15, 2002

The Masungi Georeserve is a conservation project in Rizal that has won international awards, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) Action Award for Inspire Category in 2022.

Initiatives at the Masungi Georeserve are led and funded by Blue Star and the Masungi Georeserve Foundation.

Masungi's future

Binay highlighted the DENR's lack of personnel, capability, and resources to manage the georeserve effectively.

Binay said, "Kaya't nababahala po tayo sa magiging resulta ng kanselasyon ng kontrata ng Blue Star. Alam nating walang kakayanan ang DENR na saluhin ang anumang kasalukuyang aksyon na ginagawa ng foundation," Binay said.

(We are concerned about the potential outcome of the cancellation of the contract with Blue Star. We know that the DENR will be unable to take over whatever actions currently undertaken by the foundation.)

"Sa totoo lang, these young volunteers have proven to be better guardians than the DENR, gathering needed support from all sector even without the agency's help," she said.

The senator expressed fears that the cancellation of the joint venture agreement could lead to increased illegal activities, environmental neglect, and security issues.

Appeal to Marcos

Binay said she would appeal to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to convene the DENR, Bureau of Corretions (BOC), Department of Tourism (DOT), local government units (LGUs), and other stakeholders to resolve the overlapping legal issues surrounding Masungi.

"We need to find a win-win solution to all parties, seek for remedies and a cure to the legal issues hounding the Masungi Georeserve. Protected areas like this are crucial for biodiversity, water, and climate action," she said.

Binay added, "kaya nakakabahala na basta na lamang magdedesisyon ang DENR na walang nakahandang malinaw na plano o mga personnel man lamang na may kakayanang bantayan at protektahan ang Masungi."

(That's why it's concerning that the DENR just issued its decision without a clear plan or personnel who are capable of guarding and protecting Masungi.)

GMA News Online reached out to the DENR for comment but the agency has yet to respond as of posting time.

Last Friday, the DENR said it arrived at its decision "after several investigations that started in 2014."

The agency said the 5,000-unit Garden Cottages housing project was intended for employees of various government agencies including the DENR, Department of Education (then Department of Education, Culture and Sports), Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of National Defense, Department of Transportation (then Department of Transportation and Communications), Office of the President and the Presidential Management Staff.

For its part, the Masungi Georeserve Foundation Inc. lamented the DENR's move to cancel the 2002 agreement covering the lot for conservation site, saying the agency "has chosen to go after those protecting our forests instead of those destroying them."

The foundation said the project was competitively bidded out by the DENR and won by Blue Star. — VDV, GMA Integrated News