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.
“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?” Rep. Castro questioned.
“The timing of this eviction notice is highly suspicious, coming at a time when Masungi has received international recognition for its conservation efforts. This is not about legal technicalities—this is about silencing environmental advocates who have been effective in protecting our natural resources,” Castro added.
ACT Teachers nominee and former Representative Antonio Tinio pointed out that the DENR’s actions contradict its mandate as the primary agency responsible for environmental protection.
“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.
Tinio emphasized that the conservation work done by the Masungi Georeserve Foundation has been exemplary, earning multiple international awards and recognition for its innovative approach to environmental protection and sustainable tourism.
“In just a few years, Masungi has transformed from a degraded area threatened by illegal logging, quarrying, and land-grabbing to a model of conservation. They’ve planted over 100,000 native trees, protected endangered species, and provided sustainable livelihoods for local communities. Destroying this success story would be an environmental crime,” Tinio stressed.
Rep. Castro also highlighted the suspicious circumstances surrounding the eviction notice, noting that DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga was conveniently on “personal leave” when the letter was issued, with no clear timeline for her return.
“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 questioned.
The lawmakers also expressed concern that the eviction of Blue Star could be connected 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 move to evict the current conservation managers. Hindi maaaring maging coincidence lang ito. May mas malaking plano na hindi isinisiwalat sa publiko,” Castro said.
Tinio called on President Marcos Jr. to intervene immediately 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.
The lawmakers vowed to file a resolution in the House of Representatives calling for an investigation into the DENR’s actions and the real motives behind the sudden eviction notice.
“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 behind this sudden move, and we will use all legislative means to protect Masungi from what appears to be a corporate takeover of a protected area,” Castro concluded.
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