Masungi Georeserve fights eviction as conservationists ask gov't. for fair treatment

The Masungi Georeserve, a pioneering conservation project in the Philippines, is facing a controversial eviction following the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)'s unilateral cancellation of its Supplemental Joint Venture Agreement (SJVA). 

Conservationists warn that this decision threatens not just decades of reforestation and protection efforts but also the security of downstream communities relying on the Upper Marikina Watershed.

On Tuesday, over 100 advocates and members of the indigenous people (IP) group, Dumagat, gathered at the Masungi Georeserve in Baras, Rizal, to protest against the DENR's eviction notice. 

In an interview with reporters, Ann Dumaliang, managing trustee and co-founder of Masungi Georeserve, decried the lack of due process in the eviction order.

“Well, the defense camp, naka-schedule ito sa pang labinlimang araw na binigay sa atin ng DENR para lumisan sa lugar… At yung defense camp na ito ay isang pagtindig laban doon sa eviction at ng kanselasyon nung supplemental joint venture agreement… na kinansela nang walang proseso at nang walang diyalogo,” she said during the Masungi Nature Defense Camp. 

(The defense camp was scheduled on the fifteenth day, given to us by the DENR to vacate the area… And this defense camp is a stand against the eviction and the cancellation of the supplemental joint venture agreement… which was canceled unilaterally without process and dialogue.)

Dumaliang revealed their legal team has reviewed the situation and remains confident in their legal remedies, although details have yet to be disclosed.

“We’ve already done the legal studies around the situation now, and again, yes, we are even more confident than ever on the remedies that we can take, and the positive tracks of action that we can have.”

Legal claims disputed

Masungi’s leadership also questioned the basis of the DENR’s legal arguments, claiming they are misleading. One particular claim involves the Procurement Law, which the DENR is using to invalidate the agreement. However, Dumaliang pointed out a discrepancy in the timeline.

“Halimbawa doon sa tanong niyo, ano yung pinaka-laughable dito? Siguro ‘yung sinasabi nila sa Procurement Law, ‘yung agreement was entered into when? 2002? Tapos ‘yung procurement daw na sina-cite nila is 2003, ‘di ba? So siyempre, natural, kung ano yung Procurement Law ng 2002 yun yung mag-a-apply.”

(For example, regarding your question about what’s the most laughable claim, perhaps the one about the Procurement Law. The agreement was entered into in 2002, yet the Procurement Law they are citing is from 2003. Naturally, the applicable law should be the one from 2002.)

The conservationist also emphasized that the SJVA was instrumental in protecting the watershed, which was previously vulnerable to deforestation and land-grabbing.

Despite reaching out to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to request a thorough review of the eviction, Masungi has yet to receive a response.

“Sa totoo lang, wala pa, at patuloy pa rin ang panawagan natin sa kaniya na suspendehin at i-allow ang mas malatag na pag-review ng nangyaring kanselasyon, and ultimately, hopefully ma-revoke ito.”

(To be honest, there has been no response, and we continue to call on him to suspend and allow a more thorough review of the cancellation, and ultimately, hopefully, revoke it.)

Dumaliang underscored the environmental and social risks of dismantling Masungi’s conservation work, which not only safeguards biodiversity but also provides crucial flood control and water security.

"Nananawagan po tayo kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., na sana makialam po kayo, iparamdam niyo po sana samin ang inyong pakikiisa. Ang mga batas na unang nag protekta sa Masungi ay mga batas na itinaguyod sa pamumuno ng kaniyang ama. Panahon na para itaguyod muli ang pamana na iyon para sa kalikasan at para sa batas," she stressed. 

(We ask President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to intervene and show us his solidarity. The laws that initially protected Masungi were established under his father’s leadership. It is time to uphold that legacy once more, for nature and the rule of law.)

Concerns over unequal treatment

One of the biggest questions raised by the Masungi team is why land speculators, illegal occupants, and quarrying interests remain untouched while a recognized conservation initiative is being forced out.

“So actually that's a good question. Kasi kung titignan natin doon sa kabilang dulo, yung mga naka-occupy sa lupa na wala man lang pinaghawakan, nandiyan pa rin. And yet the conservation project is the one being made to leave.”

(So actually that's a good question. If we look at it from the other side, those who are occupying land without any basis are still there. And yet the conservation project is the one being made to leave.)

Dumaliang also alleged that certain groups with vested interests in the land, such as quarry operators and land grabbers, continue to exert influence, while their own requests for dialogue with the DENR have been repeatedly ignored.

“Kung pinapakinggan sila at pinatitignan ng mga quote-unquote documentation nila, bakit hindi rin kami bigyan ng pagkakataon na malabas yung aming mga impormasyon at mapakinggan sa tamang forum?”

(If they are being heard and their “documentation” are being looked at, why not give us a chance to disclose our information and be heard in the proper forum.)

Despite the challenges they face, Dumaliang and the Masungi team are committed to remain steadfast in their position, asserting that an eviction without court proceedings is illegal.

“We stand our ground. As our legal representatives and Blue Star's legal representatives have said, they cannot enforce an eviction without going through court processes. Doing so would be illegal.”

Blue Star is the property firm behind the Masungi Georeserve.

She also expressed concerns that the eviction they are facing is part of a larger trend in which legal protections for conservation areas are being eroded.

“What we will observe is coming from the last couple of months, medyo halata na merong (it is pretty obvious there is) dismantling of legal mechanisms that have protected the area for the last couple of decades. And all of these agreements really were put in place because there were systemic weaknesses in how these lands were managed and protected in the years before that.”

Masungi is located on the upper reaches of a watershed that directly impacts the 20 million people of Metro Manila. The ecosystem it supports extends from the cities of Marikina and Pasig to Manila Bay, influencing water security, disaster resilience, and even economic stability. —RF, GMA Integrated News