‘Nothing wrong’ with Masungi’s private sector roots — foundation

FILE PHOTO: The government assures the public that it will do its best to protect and preserve the Masungi Georeserve in Rizal province as it firms up plans to develop idle properties within the area. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The Masungi Georeserve Foundation (MGFI) reiterated on Thursday that there is “nothing wrong” with protected land being under the private sector.

This follows the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) plans to develop its new headquarters in the area, as a presidential decree ruled that a portion of Masungi’s land belongs to the bureau.

READ: BuCor defers development plans in Masungi Georeserve

“Our roots are from the private sector. And we see nothing wrong with that. In fact, involving the private sector, its charitable arms, and other civil society organizations are the only ways that we can achieve our country’s biodiversity and climate targets and fulfill the mandate to provide Filipinos a healthy ecology,” said the MGFI in a statement posted on their social media on Thursday.

Officials of Masungi also shared the statement during a hearing of the House Committee on Natural Resources.

According to MGFI, the foundation is under the Blue Star Construction and Development Corporation.

“As such, its trustees do not hold shares nor receive dividends or income. In fact, it is Blue Star that has given Masungi many of its resources and funding to be able to get to where it is today,” said the foundation.

While the BuCor does have legal rights over the disputed land, the MGFI also upheld the area is under protection, citing memorandum of agreements (MOA) with former chiefs of the Department of Environment and  Natural Resources (DENR).

“Regarding our 2017 MOA with the DENR, as legal experts have said, the MOA is valid and binding on both parties. The MOA was entered into in good faith between the Foundation and the DENR,” said the MGFI.

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JPV