Nadine Lustre and Justin De Dios of SB19 | Image: Instagram/@nadine, @jahdedios
Filipina actress Nadine Lustre and P-pop boy group member Justin De Dios of SB19 have thrown their support behind the Masungi Georeserve, amid reported commercial encroachment into the protected area and the planned cancelation of its contract with government.
Both Lustre and De Dios have both been vocal supporters of the conservation park in Tanay, Rizal which is managed by the Masungi Georeserve Foundation Inc. (MGFI) and funded by the private firm Blue Star Construction & Development Corporation.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is seeking to rescind its 2017 memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Masungi for the management of a vast track of land for conservation, which the foundation had supposedly turned into a geotourism site. The DENR claimed the MOA which was signed by its then Secretary Gina Lopez, now deceased, was void “ab initio,” or invalid from the very start.
In supporting Masungi, Lustre called the cancellation threat from DENR a “travesty of justice,” saying it “would only benefit claimants, land grabbers, and others who opposed environmental conservation.”
“We cannot remain passive. We must take decisive action to safeguard Masungi, a leader in global conservation efforts. Your active involvement and support are essential in this battle. Join us in the fight to preserve Masungi’s rightful place in our natural world. Together, we can secure a sustainable future,” said Lustre, who was named an honorary Masungi park ranger in March, 2023.
This statement was echoed by De Dios, who urged the youth to join the fight to preserve the environmental site as it contributes to the overall biodiversity.
“Ang Masungi ay hindi lamang isang patunay ng kagandahan ng kalikasan, kundi pati na rin kapangyarihan ng mga kabataan. Sa pagsuporta po dito tinutulungan natin na protektahan ang kamangha-manghang tanawin, at siyempre and biodiversity dito,” he said.
(Masungi is not only a testament to the beauty of nature but also the power of youth. By supporting it, we are helping to protect this amazing landscape and, of course, its biodiversity.)
NADINE, SB19's JUSTIN RALLY BEHIND MASUNGI
Honorary Masungi Park Ranger and environmental advocate Nadine Lustre, along with SB19 member Justin de Dios, offered their statement of support for the Masungi Geopark Project. pic.twitter.com/J3CN0Uruz1
— iMPACT Leadership (@iMPACTPH2019) April 23, 2024
In seeking to void the MOA with Masungi, the DENR through current Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga cited alleged irregularities in the project, including an alleged hotel and swimming pool at the protected environmental site.
On April 2o, MGFI dared Yulo-Loyzaga to visit the site and point out the “irregularities” that her office alleged. If the claims prove to be incorrect, the organization urges the secretary to resign from her position.
The following day, MGFI held a solidarity event with more than 500 supporters to protest the cancellation plans of the DENR, including Michael V., Joey Ayala, Noel Cabangon, Paolo Sandejas, and Keiko Necesario, who performed at the gathering.
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