Winds of changes: embattled Philippines’ Masungi georeserve park faces threat from wind farm project
- Lawmakers have filed resolutions to investigate reported drilling operations within the Masungi geopark, which has faced numerous threats
- Despite the energy firm saying it holds the necessary permits, conservationists say some indigenous groups living in the area have no idea of the wind project
On one side are conservationists and caretakers of the lush nature reserve, while on the other is the renewable energy company behind the wind farm project.
Illegal loggers and land-grabbers have targeted the 1,600-hectare (4,000 acres) conservation site, prompting the Masungi Georeserve Foundation Inc (MGFI) – the non-profit organisation in charge of the conservation area – to regularly conduct drone surveys to monitor tree-cutting operations and forest fires.
Environmental protection laws in the Philippines prohibit commercial activities in protected areas without permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Protected Area Management Board.
This includes the Masungi area, which was first declared a national park, wildlife sanctuary, and game preserve through a presidential proclamation in 1977 and closed for exploration and development activities in 1993.