Once a land barren of trees, it is now reclaiming its natural balance.
It took decades to reforest this georeserve tucked in Rizal, where land grabbers, illegal loggers are repelled by rangers and two sisters who share a passion for preservation. Their mission? To keep the threats at bay.
As land trafficking harms life, it’s vital to recognize eco-initiatives and advocates who work tirelessly to defend our remaining treasures.
Masungi’s project in 2024 recently won an international accolade. This furthers the push for conservation and affirms the Dumaliangs’ pledge to protect the rock garden.
Here’s what the effort has achieved for the reserve and beyond.
Project for the park
Masungi Geopark Project received the National Energy Globe Award for 2024 at the area's Discovery Trail on Feb. 19.
The recognition honors its work reforesting over two-thirds of the preserve's 3,000 hectares, planting 68,000 native trees, protecting 2,700 hectares of degraded land, employing up to 100 local rangers, and boosting climate resilience for vulnerable groups.
"Masungi's accomplishments are not just for the team. We wouldn't be where we are today if not for people who chose to speak up and take decisive action on the positions of authority," said Ann Dumaliang, co-founder at Masungi.
Home to majestic greenery and prehistoric limestones, the conservation area, including the Upper Marikina Watershed in Baras, is also crucial for water flow regulation.
"This award not only confirms the dedication and hard work of Masungi Georeserve but also highlights the growing importance of international collaboration in the fight against environmental degradation," said Austrian Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Johann Brieger.
Around 2,000 projects from over 180 countries vie for the title each year.
Dumaliang duo
The Philippines remains one of the deadliest countries in Asia for environmental defenders, reports from Global Witness have shown.
Not new to this danger are the Dumaliangs and their rangers in the reserve who've faced physical and legal threats largely from property developers and authorities.
The conservationists continue to restore the watershed areas around the limestone forest, where only one-fourth of the forest cover stands. By protecting the area—home to indigenous communities and rich flora and fauna species—and pushing for sustainability, the sisters were cited in Time Magazine's Next Generation Leaders 2024 list.
“Now, more than ever, we must work together to safeguard our earth’s life-giving ecosystems, choosing action and bravery especially when it seems difficult. All of us have a role to play in enabling a solution and the future our countrymen and future generations deserve,” Billie Dumaliang, co-founder at Masungi, stressed.