Masungi Opposes Attempt to Move Bilibid Prison in the Protected Sanctuary

On the morning of February16, 2023, forest defenders at Masungi Georeserve received the shock of their lives when around 20 men and five vehicles pulled over at the entrance of the site and demanded they be granted access to conduct an “ocular inspection” of the alleged “relocation site of the New Bilibid Prison”.

“They bear a newly minted title over 270 hectares of the Lot 10 property in the name of BuCor. The remaining 30 hectares of Lot 10 were reportedly titled simultaneously in the name of the DENR. Lot 10 and the 300 hectares in question comprise the Masungi Georeserve,” Masungi wrote in a statement sent to Esquire Philippines. 

According to Masungi Georeserve, it is impractical to relocate the New Bilibid Prison in the aforementioned lot because Lot 10 is home to the fragile limestone formations of Masungi Georeserve and has already been equitized in a joint venture project between the DENR and Blue Star as early as 2002.

“It is also included in conservation efforts under the Masungi Geopark Project between the Masungi Georeserve Foundation and the DENR through a valid and binding Memorandum of Agreement signed by Gina Lopez in 2017,” said Masungi Georeserve Foundation. 

As early as 2009, DENR Secretary Lito Atienza issued a memorandum to the DENR Regional Director to submit an alternative area for the New Bilibid Prison for the amendment of Presidential Proclamation 1158, since Lot 10 is already subject to private rights.

Mountainous Landscape is ‘Unbuildable’

Apart from the environmental damage that the attempt to relocate the New Bilibid Prison in Masungi Georeserve, the Foundation says it is also dangerous for the government to build on the protected sanctuary because Moreover, the site is mountainous and geologically unbuildable.” The development will be financially prohibitive, and in the words of scientists from the National Museum of the Philippines, will have expensive consequences for the environment,” said the Foundation. 

The new incident comes on the heels of a major vicotry by Masungi Georeserve Foundation against quarrying companies. On February 8, 2023, Masungi Georeserve Foundation scored a major victory on February 8, 2023 after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources canceled the quarrying operations in Masungi Georeserve and the Upper Marikina Watershed.

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Why Are Powerful People Seeking to Exploit Masungi Georeserve?

Land grabbers and quarrying companies are bent on exploiting the land under the forests of Masungi Georeserve, threatening to destroy the habitat of tens of thousands of plants and animals that seek refuge in this sanctuary. 

Throughout its existence, the reserve has ensured the survival of over 400 species of flora and fauna, protected 60-million-year-old limestone formations, planted 40,000 indigenous trees, and employed over 100 locals who are now helping protect this piece of paradise. 

Masungi Georeserve is an internationally awarded conservation project that is just a day trip away from Manila. It is the last protective shield of Metro Manila from flash floods, typhoons, and climate change.