Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is calling for a Senate investigation into the decision of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to cancel a housing project deal inside the Masungi Georeserve, a move that stirred controversy over land use, environmental protection, and accountability.
In Senate Resolution No. 1323 filed on March 12, 2025, Cayetano called on the Blue Ribbon Committee to investigate the cancellation of the Supplemental Joint Venture Agreement (SJVA) between the DENR and Blue Star Construction Development Corporation, a private developer.
The senator emphasized that Masungi is not just a tourist spot but a vital resource for ordinary Filipinos, acting as a natural shield against floods and a source of clean water.
He cited the 1987 Constitution’s guarantee of a “balanced and healthful ecology” and stressed the need to protect the area for future generations.
“The protection and conservation of the environment and our natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations of Filipinos is a sacred duty entrusted to our leaders,” Cayetano wrote in the resolution.
The Masungi Rock in Baras, Rizal is a protected area known for its limestone cliffs, forests, and biodiversity. It helps prevent floods and supplies clean water to Metro Manila.
The senator warned that beyond the environmental damage, the controversy reflects a bigger issue: the possible mishandling of public lands and resources meant to serve Filipinos.
“It is imperative that the government, the private sector, and other stakeholders squarely confront this legal quandary in which the Masungi Georeserve finds itself,” he said.
The resolution outlines the long history of deals involving Masungi, starting from a 1996 Joint Venture Agreement and its 2002 expansion, to a 2017 Memorandum of Agreement with the Masungi Georeserve Foundation, Inc. (MGFI), which was tasked with protecting 2,700 hectares of land including the Masungi Rock.
However, the DENR later questioned the agreements, citing a lack of presidential approval, unmet commitments, and unclear financial records. The agency accused MGFI of turning the area into a commercial tourism site instead of a housing project.
MGFI fired back, accusing the DENR of failing to remove illegal occupants and claiming the cancellation was part of a larger effort to weaken environmental protections.
Cayetano stressed that the Senate must ensure transparency and accountability in the handling of public lands, reminding officials that good governance serves the people first.
“Honoring God through good governance requires transparency, accountability, and the responsible management of public funds and properties,” he said.
The Blue Ribbon Committee has yet to set a date for the investigation.
