DENR thanks Leo DiCaprio but says law must prevail on Masungi

MANILA, Philippines — Actor Leonardo DiCaprio is being appreciated for his concern about the Masungi Georeserve, but the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) maintained its stance that the rule of law would prevail in the area.

DiCaprio called for the protection of the Masungi Georeserve amid discussions to revoke a 2017 agreement between the DENR and the Masungi Georeserve Foundation Inc. (MGFI).

The DENR, however, said: “No one is exempt from the law.”

“We appreciate the statements of concern for the Philippine environment from international celebrities who are distinguished in their respective fields,” the environment agency said in a statement Thursday.

“As the DENR continues to take steps toward strengthening its compliance and enforcement capacities, we value all those parties who have submitted themselves to the required processes and procedures as defined by existing laws,” it added.

READ: But what about Masungi?

The DENR likewise asserted that the area occupied by the MGFI is owned by the Filipino people and that the operation of resort venues that charge fees to the public “remains non-compliant with Philippine laws.“

It further pointed out that Masungi Georeserve is the subject of Joint Venture Agreements (JVA) and Supplemental Agreement (SA) for the delivery of government housing projects.

It even noted that MGFI owners “are the same signatories to the JVA and SA that have been investigated by the DENR and is currently subject of investigation in aid of legislation by both houses of Congress.”

FILE PHOTO: Masungi Georeserve in Baras town, Rizal province, in 2019, has been hailed as one of the most innovative and sustainable tourism projects in the world by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. The conservation and geotourism site, however, is threatened by encroachment, quarrying activities, and development projects. INQUIRER/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

In an Instagram post earlier on Thursday, DiCaprio expressed concern over DENR’s supposed threat to void the agreement.

“This cancellation would set back the success of an internationally acclaimed conservation effort and leave the area vulnerable again to mining, logging, and illegal developments,” the Hollywood actor said.

READ: Masungi Georeserve denies DENR claim its contract is ‘void ab initio’

DiCaprio likewise urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to intervene for the protection of the Masungi Georeserve.

DiCaprio was the latest among personalities and groups that demanded the protection of Masungi Georeserve and opposed the revocation of the agreement, which the DENR entered into with the MGFI  in 2017 through then-secretary Gina Lopez.

The DENR-MGFI agreement places the care and conservation of the Masungi Georeserve to the foundation and puts to task the DENR to designate the area as a “perpetual land trust for conservation” to the MGFI.

In 2023, however, the Department of Justice said the DENR-MGFI agreement is contrary to the 1987 Constitution. The DENR, on the other hand, told a Senate hearing last April that the deal was void from the beginning and it is making moves to cancel it.

In a reaction posted on its Facebook page on Thursday, the MGFI reiterated that the Masungi Georeserve is not a resort and it was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-stock and non-profit Foundation.

“The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) itself has said that MGFI has no outstanding tax obligations. Only light, local, sustainable, and temporary structures and features that enhance and sustain the character of the landscape are present,” the MGFI said.

“Contrary to the statement of the DENR, the trails have a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) which is the equivalent of the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for projects with insignificant environmental impact as defined by the Philippines Environment Impact System,” it added.