Malacañang on Tuesday urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to look into alleged illegal quarrying and mining activities inside the protected area of Masungi Georeserve in Rizal.
In a statement on Tuesday, April 26, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the Palace is concerned about the reports of "alleged development activities, which include resort expansion, in the Marikina Watershed."
This came after protectors of Masungi Georeserve and other environmentalists called on President Duterte and DENR to cancel a mining agreement in Upper Marikina River Basin and order to stop activities there, including the building of resorts.
"Safeguarding the environment and natural resources is an important component in our sustainable development," Andanar said.
The Palace, he added, is also therefore calling on DENR's Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force to file necessary charges against violators of environmental laws.