House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro strongly condemned the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) move to evict Blue Star Construction and Development Corp., the developer behind the internationally acclaimed Masungi Georeserve. She called the decision a “brazen attack on environmental conservation” that prioritizes corporate interests over ecological protection.
The DENR, through Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna, issued Blue Star a 15-day eviction notice after unilaterally nullifying its nearly 23-year-old contract. The agency cited alleged “legal infirmities” in the 2002 supplemental agreement, which expanded the original project area to include the 300-hectare Lot 10, home to the conservation site.
A Move to Open Masungi to Commercial Interests?
Rep. Castro questioned the timing and intent behind the eviction, warning that it could pave the way for commercial development in the protected area.
“Ang pagpapaalis sa Masungi Georeserve Foundation ay malinaw na hakbang tungo sa pagbukas ng protektadong lugar para sa komersyal na interes. Ano ba talaga ang plano ng DENR? Iligtas ang kalikasan o ibenta ito sa mga mayayamang developer?” she asked.
[The eviction of the Masungi Georeserve Foundation is clearly a step toward opening the protected area to commercial interests. What is DENR’s real plan? To save nature or sell it to wealthy developers?]
She also noted that the eviction order came at a time when Masungi was receiving international recognition for its conservation efforts.
“The timing of this eviction notice is highly suspicious. This is not about legal technicalities—this is about silencing environmental advocates who have been effective in protecting our natural resources,” Castro added.
DENR’s Contradictory Actions
Former ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio criticized the DENR for acting against its own mandate to protect the environment.
“The DENR should be the first to defend Masungi, not the one threatening its existence. Napakalaking kabalintunaan na ang ahensyang dapat nagpoprotekta sa ating kalikasan ay siya pang nagpapalayas sa mga tunay na tagapagtaguyod nito,” Tinio said.
[It’s a great irony that the agency responsible for protecting our environment is the very one expelling its true advocates.]
Tinio highlighted Masungi’s success in rehabilitating degraded land previously threatened by illegal logging, quarrying, and land-grabbing.
“In just a few years, Masungi has transformed into a model for conservation, planting over 100,000 native trees, protecting endangered species, and providing sustainable livelihoods for local communities. Destroying this success story would be an environmental crime,” he stressed.
Lack of Transparency Raises Red Flags
Rep. Castro also pointed out the suspicious circumstances surrounding the eviction notice, particularly that DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga was on “personal leave” when the order was issued.
“Bakit kailangang gawin ito habang wala ang DENR Secretary? May sinusubukan ba silang itago? Ang mga ganitong hakbang ay nagpapakita ng kakulangan ng transparency at accountability sa ahensya,” Castro said.
[Why was this done while the DENR Secretary was away? Are they trying to hide something? These actions show a lack of transparency and accountability.]
The lawmakers also raised concerns that the eviction could be linked to previous attempts by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to claim the land for its new headquarters.
“We’ve already opposed BuCor’s plan to build its headquarters in Masungi, and now we see this eviction move. Hindi maaaring maging coincidence lang ito. May mas malaking plano na hindi isinisiwalat sa publiko,” Castro warned.
[This cannot just be a coincidence. There is a bigger plan that is not being disclosed to the public.]
Calls for Immediate Government Action
Tinio urged President Marcos Jr. to intervene and stop what he described as “environmental sabotage disguised as legal compliance.”
“Kung totoong seryoso ang administrasyong Marcos sa environmental protection at climate action, dapat ay agad nitong ipatigil ang pagpapaalis sa Masungi Georeserve Foundation. Iisa lang ang Masungi—once it’s destroyed, we can never get it back,” Tinio emphasized.
[If the Marcos administration is truly serious about environmental protection and climate action, it should immediately stop the eviction of the Masungi Georeserve Foundation. There is only one Masungi—once it’s destroyed, we can never get it back.]
The lawmakers vowed to file a resolution in the House of Representatives calling for an investigation into the DENR’s actions and the true motives behind the eviction order.
“We will not stand idly by while one of our country’s most successful conservation projects is threatened. The Filipino people deserve to know the truth, and we will use all legislative means to protect Masungi from what appears to be a corporate takeover of a protected area,” Castro concluded.