Wazzup Pilipinas!?
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has recently taken decisive action concerning the Masungi Georeserve in Rizal province, a site renowned for its unique limestone formations and rich biodiversity. On March 7, 2025, the DENR announced the cancellation of its 2002 Supplemental Agreement with Blue Star Construction Development Corporation (Blue Star), the developer behind the georeserve, and issued an order for the company to vacate the 300-hectare area within 15 days.
Background of the Agreement
In 1997, Blue Star entered into a joint venture agreement with the DENR to develop a 130-hectare government property in Tanay, Rizal, into a housing project named "Garden Cottages." The project aimed to provide housing units for employees of various government agencies, including the DENR, Department of Education, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of National Defense, Department of Transportation, Office of the President, and the Presidential Management Staff. However, the DENR later found that Blue Star failed to complete the 5,000-unit housing project within the five-year timeline stipulated in the agreement.
Despite the lack of progress on the initial 130 hectares, a supplemental agreement in 2002 expanded the project area by an additional 300 hectares, encompassing what is now known as the Masungi Georeserve. This expansion aimed to further the development of housing units, but the DENR noted that no substantial housing units were built on the original 130 hectares awarded.
Reasons for Cancellation
The DENR cited several reasons for the cancellation of the 2002 Supplemental Agreement:
Lack of Required Presidential Proclamation: The agreement lacked the necessary Presidential Proclamation declaring the subject area open for disposition for housing purposes.
Absence of Proper Procurement Process: There was no documentation proving that the proposed construction underwent a regular procurement or bidding process, raising concerns about the legality of the agreement.
Failure to Deliver Housing Units: Blue Star failed to deliver the 5,000-unit Garden Cottages housing project within five years from the signing of the agreement in 2002.
DENR's Position
DENR Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs, Atty. Norlito Eneran, emphasized that the supplemental agreement is now without basis due to the unmet project timeline and the absence of required legal processes. He stated that the DENR is committed to managing the area in accordance with environmental laws and intends to take control of the area, along with other government agencies that have rights to it.
Response from Masungi Georeserve Foundation
The Masungi Georeserve Foundation, Incorporated (MGFI), which has been managing conservation efforts in the area, condemned the DENR's decision. The foundation argued that the DENR is targeting environmental defenders instead of addressing issues like land grabbing and illegal activities that threaten the forest. They asserted that the DENR's failure to clear the area of illegal occupants had hindered the project's execution and expressed confidence in legal remedies to contest the decision.
Conservation Efforts and Achievements
Despite the contractual disputes, the Masungi Georeserve has been internationally recognized for its conservation efforts. The MGFI has been actively restoring degraded lands and protecting the area from illegal activities. The foundation's initiatives have garnered accolades, including the 2024 National Energy Globe Award, highlighting their commitment to environmental preservation.
Future Implications
The cancellation of the agreement and the subsequent vacate order raise concerns about the future management and conservation of the Masungi Georeserve. While the DENR assures that the area will continue to be protected, the MGFI warns that this move could endanger forest rangers and conservation workers who have been defending the landscape against various threats. The situation underscores the complex interplay between development projects and environmental conservation, highlighting the need for clear legal frameworks and collaborative efforts to protect natural resources.
As the 15-day vacate notice period approaches its deadline, stakeholders and environmental advocates are closely monitoring the developments, hoping for a resolution that balances legal obligations with the imperative of environmental conservation.
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