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MATAPOS ang anim na taon, target ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) na sipain sa 2,700-ektaryang lupain ang Masungi Georeserve Foundation (MRFI).
Sa pagpapatuloy ng pagdinig ng House Committee on Natural Resources, inamin ni DENR Legal Affairs Service Director Norlito Eneran na ilegal ang memorandum of agreement (MOA) na nilagdaan sa pagitan ng MRFI at ng yumaong Energy Secretary Gina Lopez noong taong 2017.
Rekomendasyon ni Eneran kay DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga – kanselahin ang kasunduang aniya’y nagbigay pahintulot sa MRFI na sakupin ang 2,700 ektaryang lupain, kabilang ang mga saklaw ng mga Presidential Proclamation at ancestral domain ng mga katutubong Dumagat.
Gayunpaman, aminado si Eneran na tanging ang Kalihim ng DENR ang pwedeng magbasura sa kontrobersyal na MOA.
“We have already submitted our report. We found out that there is indeed a violation of the provision of the 1987 Constitution on the period of the 2017 MOA,” ani Eneran sa House Committee on Natural Resources na nag-iimbestiga sa di umano’y ilegal na aktibidades ng MRFI sa mga bayan ng Baras at Tanay sa lalawigan ng Rizal.
“There is already a recommendation for the cancellation of the 2017 MOA, but only DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga has the authority to unilaterally cancel the contract.”
Kinastigo rin ng mga kongresista ang aniya’y kasunduang ‘panghabambuhay’ sa pagitan ng MRFI at ni Lopez.
The Department of Justice has also issued a formal opinion on the matter, according to Committee Chairperson Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr.
“The Department of Justice has already made a formal opinion that this contract of 99 years is unconstitutional,” ani Committee chairman Rep. Elpidio Barzaga.
Maging si DENR Calabarzon regional director Nilo Tamoria, aminadong sinakop ng MRFI ang mga lugar na saklaw at protektado ng umiiral na batas.
“Sixty-seven percent of the total area of the MGFI, the subject MOA, is covered by the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title. It overlaps with the CADT of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. It also overlaps with the previous issuances. First the proclamation for the training camp of the Special Action Force of the PNP. Proclamation 1355. Proclamation 1158, the lot 10, where the core of the Masungi Karst is there. That proclamation was issued in 2006 by then Pres Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, reserving that Lot 10 as the site of the New Bilibid Prison,” ani Tamoria.
“Yung preparation ng 2017 MOA, walang input ang DENR as to the technical description of the area to be covered… No record in the Region 4A and even in the central office as to the complete staff work regarding the formulation. We’re not aware when it was signed, and where it was signed… The complete documentation, especially on the aspect of the technical description, ay wala po kaming participation,” dagdag pa ng DENR regional director.
Hinikayat rin ng Kamara si Loyzaga na agad maglabas ng pagpapasya sa usapin ng Masungi.
“Magdesisyon na kayo. Huwag nyo na kami antayin. Kung tama naman ang desisyon ng inyong secretary, we will support you. ‘Pag mali naman, we will take the appropriate action,” dagdag pa ni Barzaga.
Samantala, nanindigan ang Masungi na legal ang 2017 MOA na nagbigay sa kanila ng “perpetual land trust for conservation.”
“Strictly speaking, the objectives of conservation activities will not allow development, exploration or utilization of natural resources. This is why MGFI forwards that the 2017 MOA should be read as an agreement for a perpetual land trust for conservation, and not a perpetual license,” ayon sa pahayag ng Masungi Georeserve.
“The Masungi Georeserve Foundation reiterates its stand that, pursuant to the principles of the parol evidence rule, the 2017 MOA should be read in its entirety, and should not be reduced to a single phrase, i.e., perpetual land trust,” anila.
