Leonardo DiCaprio is joining calls to protect Masungi georeserve in the Philippines, as more renowned personalities and celebrities—in the Philippines and abroad—are now calling for the protection of the Masungi georeserve.
Hollywood A-lister DiCaprio voiced his support for the initiative and took to Instagram recently, highlighting the remarkable restoration efforts undertaken by local communities in the late 1990s to transform the once illegally deforested area into a lush mountain rainforest landscape.
Joining calls to protect Masungi georeserve
“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. Protect Masungi Georeserve,” DiCaprio posted on his Instagram account which currently has 61.8 million followers.
Filipino celebrities including Glaiza de Castro, Anne Curtis, John Arcilla, and TV broadcaster Karen Davila expressed their support for safeguarding the protected area.
Earlier, Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, renowned ethologist, activist; environmentalist Greta Thunberg; and Grammy-winning musician Sting also aired their support for Masungi’s protection.
What is the Masungi Georeserve and where is it located?
The Masungi Georeserve is located in Rizal Province, Philippines.
It can be found at Kilometer 47, Marilaque Highway, Baras, in Rizal in the southern part of the Sierra Madre mountain range. The Masungi Georeserve is characterized by rugged limestone karst peaks, steep slopes, and surrounding lush montane rainforests.
Many caves are also found in the area, including the Yungib ni Ruben (Ruben’s Cave), which features stalactite and stalagmite formations, as well as a man-made fountain.
Why are people calling for the protection of the Masungi Georeserve?
The conservation success of Masungi is reportedly now under threat, as the Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) earlier threatened to cancel the agreement that safeguards the area from land-grabbing activities.
DiCaprio said this cancellation would undermine conservation efforts and will leave Masungi vulnerable to mining, logging, and illegal developments once again.
Masungi is currently managed by Masungi Georeserve Foundation Inc. (MGFI) and funded by the private firm Blue Star Construction & Development Corporation.
Why is the DENR threatening to cancel the stewardship agreement of the georeserve?
The DENR, for its part, said that the MGFI and the operation of the resort venues inside the protected area are non-compliant with Philippine laws.
The DENR said it appreciates the concern raised by the international celebrity, but stressed that “no one is exempt from the law”.
“The Filipino people own the area occupied by Masungi Georeserve Foundation, Inc. and the operation of the resort venues that charge the public for day tours, meetings, and weddings remains non-compliant with Philippine laws,” the DENR said.
The department said that the owners of Masungi Georeserve in Baras, Rizal are “the same signatories” to the Joint Venture Agreements (JVA) and Supplemental Agreements (SA) for the delivery of government housing projects.
They were the same signatories “that have been investigated by DENR and is currently subject to investigation in aid of legislation by both houses of Congress,” the DENR said. In response, the MGFI clarified that the Masungi Georeserve is a non-profit conservation initiative run by the MGFI, a non-stock, non-profit Foundation duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
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PHOTO CREDITS. Leonardo DiCaprio’s Facebook page, and Masungi Georeserve website.
