Makabayan solon slams BuCor plan to build HQ in Masungi Georeserve

Alliance of Concerned Teachers Rep. France Castro. (FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines —  The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) party-list slammed on Friday the plan of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to construct a headquarters in the Masungi Georeserve, an environmental protected area in Rizal.

Masungi on Thursday raised alarm over an ocular inspection by BuCor officials for the alleged relocation of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

READ: BuCor eyes new HQ at Masungi Georeserve, relocation site for NBP elsewhere  

“Mukhang marami talagang naglalaway sa Masungi Georeserve dahil napakaganda ng lugar pero ito po ay dapat ipreserba para masilayan pa ng mga susunod na henerasyon at dapat ding protektahan laban sa mga gustong gamitin ito para sa sariling interes lalo pa at plano daw tayuan ng mga bahay ang lugar baka di tumagal ay mga resort na ang nakatayo dyan,” said ACT Rep. France Castro.

(It looks like many are salivating over Masungi Georeserve, because it is such a beautiful place but this should be preserved so that the next generations can see it, and it should be protected against those who want to use it for self-interest, especially since they plan to build houses there too. It might not be long until they want to build a resort there too.)

BuCor also said in a separate statement on Friday that the headquarters has “residential uses for its personnel and employees.”

Castro urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to act and stop BuCor from constructing anything at the Masungi as it is a protected area.

“Malacñang should also rescind Presidential Decree 1158 signed by ex-president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, which designated the property for the NBP’s relocation and construction,” said Castro.

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JPV