The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has canceled its 2002 contract with Blue Star Construction Development Corporation, the developer behind the Masungi Georeserve, citing failure to execute a government housing project and other contractual violations.
The move has been met with strong opposition from the Masungi Georeserve Foundation, which condemned the agency for targeting conservation efforts instead of environmental violators.
The 2002 Supplemental Joint Venture Agreement (SJVA) covered 300 hectares of land in the georeserve. DENR officials announced on Friday, March 7, that Blue Star must vacate the property within 15 days of receiving the cancellation letter.
According to DENR, Blue Star committed several violations, including:
- Imposing fees not included in Masungi’s eco-tourism plan
- Constructing park facilities without necessary permits
- Fencing off a portion of government property
- Restricting access to DENR officials
- Failing to complete the contracted housing project
In response, the Masungi Georeserve Foundation denounced the cancellation, arguing that the DENR was penalizing those working to protect forests while allowing destructive activities to persist.
“The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has chosen to go after those protecting our forests instead of those destroying them,” the foundation said.
The foundation pointed out that the 1996 Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between Blue Star and DENR was meant to develop sustainable housing for government employees while preserving 70% of the area as green space.
The 2002 SJVA expanded the project legally, they claimed, in accordance with government provisions that allow contract extensions without additional bidding under specific conditions.
Masungi also accused the DENR of failing to meet its obligations, saying, “Let us be clear – it is the DENR who is at fault here. It has stubbornly refused to carry out its contractual obligation to clear the area of large-scale illegal occupants, liens, and encumbrances, causing delays to the project and significant injury to its private sector partner.”
The foundation criticized the DENR for bypassing proper dispute resolution mechanisms. “However, the DENR has opted to evade meaningful discussions. We welcome the opportunity to defend this agreement while also shedding light on the DENR’s decades-long negligence in managing these contracts.”
The group also said that they had not yet received the reported 15-day notice to vacate. “We have not received the said notice. Rest assured, we have anticipated this action by the DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia ‘Toni’ Yulo-Loyzaga. We are confident of the legal remedies available to us to stay the order, continue our work, and save Masungi.”
Masungi Georeserve expressed fears that the DENR’s move could endanger the safety of environmental defenders, noting that the Philippines remains one of the most dangerous countries in Asia for environmental activists.
“This move endangers the safety – not only of the public – but more recklessly, of the rangers and environment defenders who fight a risky battle to defend this threatened landscape.”
The foundation alleged that the DENR’s actions were part of a broader effort to weaken environmental protections and suppress advocacy efforts.
It argued that the move cleared the way for commercial interests to exploit natural resources, further endangering conservation efforts.
“We call on the Filipino people to see through this deception and stand with us in protecting the last remaining forests of our generation. The future of our watersheds—and of generations to come—depends on it,” the foundation said.
