LEONARDO DICAPRIO JOINS THE CALL TO SAVE MASUNGI GEORESERVE

(SPOT.ph) Public support for the Masungi Georeserve has been strong, with many rallying under the #SaveMasungi campaign on social media. The latest to join the cause is no other than Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, who is using his massive platform to urge for the protection of the conservation area.

His call to action comes as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) considers canceling a 2017 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), which grants the Masungi Georeserve Foundation Inc.'s (MGFI) management rights over the 2,700-hectare area in Rizal.

"Masungi is a lush montane rainforest landscape outside of Manila, the bustling capital of the Philippines. In the late 1990s, much of Masungi was illegally deforested. Local communities fostered the development of the @masungigeoreserve, spurring efforts to restore this precious ecosystem," DiCaprio wrote in an Instagram post.

"Now this success is in jeopardy, as the DENR threatens to cancel the agreement that protects this area from prolific land grabbing activities. 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."

His post includes a link to this online petition urging  President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.  to maintain the protection of Masungi Georeserve. It's the same petition that was submitted to the Office of the President on June 5 in time for World Environment Day.

Also read: Masungi Georeserve on Shaky Ground as DENR Questions Old Agreement

What’s happening to Masungi Georeserve?

In April, the DENR labeled Masungi Georeserve as a "resort," citing its collection of entrance fees, availability of accommodations, and hosting of events—a claim that was challenged by the MGFI. This is among DENR's reasons for the the potential revocation of the MOA.

Adding to the tension, MGFI also billed the government over P1 billion for expenses incurred due to the DENR's alleged failure to clear illegal occupants from the area, as required by their contractual obligations. However, the DENR Investigation Committee claimed the billing is without legal basis. 

DiCaprio's call for Marcos to intervene seeks to ensure that the gains made in reforestation are not lost to illegal activities such as logging and mining​. 

"Join local rangers in calling on President @bongbongmarcos to intervene and continue to protect Masungi. Conservation successes like Masungi serve as a reminder that the Philippines can become a leader in sustainability, eco-tourism, biodiversity protection, and climate action," DiCaprio said.

DiCaprio is no stranger to environmental efforts, having been committed to the cause for over 20 years now. In 1998, he founded the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation which supports global conservation efforts focusing on wildlife preservation, ocean conservation, and climate change. The foundation has funded over 200 projects in 50 countries.

In 2014, he was appointed United Nations Messenger of Peace with a focus on climate change. He used this role to urge world leaders to take stronger action against climate issues.

Also read: Masungi Scores Major Victory as DENR Shuts Down Quarrying in the Watershed

2024-07-04T08:07:52Z dg43tfdfdgfd