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After abandoning Masungi to the wolves for decades, the DENR under Yulo-Loyzaga is now shamelessly trying to force out its private sector partner, abusing its power in broad daylight. If they succeed, the very gains we have fought for in conservation will be at grave risk, leaving only a carcass for greed to devour. But we will not let this happen. No matter how small we are, we will fight for Masungi with everything we have— just as we always have. And we are not alone. To everyone who believes in this fight—now is the time to rise, to speak out, to take action. Masungi lives because of you. And together, we will keep it alive. #SaveMasungi —Billie Dumaliang, Director for Advocacy, Masungi Georeserve Foundation, UNCCD Land Hero

𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐑’𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑’𝐒 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓 𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 (𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟐) 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝟑𝟎𝟎-𝐇𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐓 𝟏𝟎/𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐈 𝐆𝐄𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐄 The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has chosen to go after those protecting our forests instead of those destroying them. While it continues to approve destructive quarries, private resorts, and industrial projects that irreparably harm our watersheds, it is using taxpayer money to target Masungi Georeserve—a globally recognized conservation initiative—and its affiliated company Blue Star which started the conservation and protection efforts in the area. For over two decades, Masungi and Blue Star have been on the frontlines, defending our forests against land grabbers, illegal quarries, and powerful vested interests. Instead of holding these plunderers accountable, the DENR is attacking a project that the late Secretary Gina Lopez once called “the only good thing happening in the area.” This is not just an assault on Masungi Georeserve—it is an attack on every Filipino striving to protect our natural heritage in the face of worsening floods, landslides, and droughts that threaten our communities. 1996 JVA and 2002 SJVA between DENR and Blue Star The aim of 1996 Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between DENR and Blue Star was to create a sustainable housing project (with 70% green spaces and 30% development) for government employees and address ongoing rampant land speculation over the area. The project was competitively bidded out by the DENR and won by Blue Star. Under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s directive, the 2002 Supplemental Joint Venture Agreement (SJVA) contributed an additional 300 hectares (Lot 10/Masungi Georeserve) to the project. This expansion is based on the provisions of law, which allows a government project to be expanded or extended without additional bidding under certain conditions. Let us be clear – it is the DENR who is at fault here. It has stubbornly refused to carry out its contractual obligation to clear the area of large-scale illegal occupants, liens, and encumbrances, causing delays to the project and significant injury to its private sector partner. Read more below: