A petition with 10,000 signatures was submitted to the Office of the President on World Environment Day to urge the government to preserve the Masungi Geopark Project (MGP), a critical environmental initiative threatened by potential cancellation.
The petition called for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga to bolster their support for the MGP.
“The MGP stands as a beacon of environmental stewardship, garnering international acclaim from esteemed bodies such as the United Nations, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the International Ranger Federation, and the World Economic Forum. Its cancellation would not only represent a breach of our international commitments but also a significant setback to our national endeavors in climate action and biodiversity conservation,” the petition read.
The petition highlights the MGP’s role in the Upper Marikina Watershed, where reforestation efforts are crucial for protecting Metro Manila and Rizal Province from natural calamities.
The project, led by the Masungi Georeserve Foundation Inc., has reclaimed 2,000 hectares of forest land for reforestation and engaged up to 100 local rangers in conservation activities.
The petition calls for the government to address any technical issues with the project’s agreement through transparent dialogue and collaboration, rather than canceling the project and undermining environmental defenders.
“On this World Environment Day, as we focus on restoring our lands and building resilience against drought and desertification, we urge the government to reaffirm its commitment to environmental conservation by supporting the Masungi Geopark Project,” said Christian Mataverde of Tanay Youth Vote.
World Environment Day 2024 focuses on accelerating land restoration, drought resilience and desertification progress.
