I had the chance to visit Masungi Georeserve a few years ago, and what I saw completely blew me away.
Tucked away in the rainforests of Rizal province, Masungi is a 450-hectare conservation area home to over 800 species of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species.
But before you keep reading, I must warn you that this is not going to be one of those typical travel guides I’ve published so far in this blog. Honestly, I wouldn’t have written about Masungi because it’s been a while since my last visit.
However, I’m prompted to share this news with you because I want to help raise awareness about what’s happening on this side of the world. As Leonardo DiCaprio and many other public figures have shared, Masungi faces the threat of falling into the wrong hands due to controversial government actions.
How did it come to this? I’ll explain shortly. First, let me share my Masungi experience to show you just how important it is to protect it.
My Masungi Experience
Why I Went
I wanted to visit Masungi Georeserve because it offers a one-of-a-kind adventure not found anywhere else in the Philippines. The team behind the foundation worked so hard to create man-made structures that accentuate the beauty of the natural landscape, creating an almost otherworldly feel.
Aside from that, I love that Masungi Georeserve is a homegrown conservation project. I think it’s a source of national pride.
The innovative design of the reserve’s attractions and its strong conservation efforts demonstrate a successful model of how tourism can be conducted sustainably. And I’m all for that. 💙
Arrival and First Impressions
I was pleasantly surprised by the meticulous organization and attention to detail in the welcome area and facilities. The registration process didn’t take long.
We were then led into a well-maintained outdoor area, where the park ranger gave us a thorough briefing and safety instructions. Then, we were given a few minutes to get ready before the hike, as there was no other restroom once we began the adventure.
I haven’t started the hike yet, but I already fell in love with how serene the place is, and how it’s so obviously well taken care of.
Discovery Trail Highlights
Masungi Georeserve’s 4-hour Discovery Trail offers a one-of-a-kind experience, packed with adventure, nature, and art installations. Here are some of the highlights:
Sapot (Spider Web)
The Sapot is arguably the most iconic attraction in Masungi. It’s a viewing platform designed like a giant spider “web” (sapot in Tagalog), and is suspended over limestone rocks formed millions of years ago.
It offers panoramic views of the Sierra Madre mountain range and Laguna de Bay.
Ditse (Hammock)
The Duyan is a giant hammock made of ropes that stretches across a valley. You can lie down and relax while suspended above the forest floor.
It sways gently the way hammocks do, and I found it both calming and exhilarating.
Yungib ni Ruben (Ruben’s Cave)
This natural cave formation is part of the trail and offers a glimpse into the geological history of the area.
Take time to explore the cave’s interior, stalactites and stalagmites, and feel free to ask your park ranger about karst landscapes.
Patak (Drop)
Patak is a raindrop-shaped rest house suspended in the middle of the trail. Take a break while admiring the view, snap some photos, and enjoy.
Along the way, you’ll also see diverse plant species, some of which are endemic to the area.
Post-Hike
After the hike, we were invited to Silungan, an open-air pavilion for relaxation and enjoying refreshments. It’s the perfect ending to unwind, reflect on our journey, and appreciate the pavilion’s rustic and natural design.
Conservation Efforts
Now that I’ve given you a sneak peek of my Masungi experience, I want to tell you about the reserve’s conservation efforts next.
In the Philippines, less than 5% of forests remain because of brutal deforestation and lack of environmental protection.
So in 2017, the Philippine government tasked the Masungi Georeserve Foundation to restore and rewild the land around the Masungi limestone formations. The foundation must use self-generated funds from guided tours and experiences, hence the area being opened to tourists and team-building activities.
I think it’s doing a pretty good job of restoring the area, with over 47,000 native trees planted to date. This helps mitigate climate change, gives wildlife a home to thrive in, and ensures there are clean and sustainable water resources for surrounding communities.
Since then, the project has been recognized as a global example by international organizations such as the United Nations Tourism and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
But here’s the sad news: While the reserve has been restored after 20 years of protection, its surrounding mountains remain desperately threatened by land trafficking and illegal logging. Not to mention decades of institutional problems such as corrupt practices and neglect.
This brings us to the current issue, explained below.
Current Issues
Conservation Agreement Dispute
Masungi Georeserve is currently embroiled in several significant issues primarily involving the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
DENR released an official statement after Leonardo DiCaprio joined the growing calls to protect the reserve.
It now recommends canceling the 2017 Memorandum of Agreement between Masungi and the government, citing it as “void from the beginning.”
Masungi contested this, arguing that the agreement remains valid until a court decision says otherwise.
Accusations and Public Spat
The DENR is accusing Masungi Georeserve of operating as a resort, offering accommodations and event hosting. But this is not true.
Remember that Masungi is a self-funded foundation, so it needs to make money in some way to keep protecting the reserve.
The facilities in the area are part of its conservation efforts and the profits are used to support the cause financially. I’ve visited the place and as you can see from the photos I shared in this article, it is NOT a resort at all.
I am also saddened that this public disagreement has diverted attention from the conservation efforts themselves.
Security and Legal Challenges
On top of the lack of support from the government, Masungi faces violence against their rangers and legal disputes over land ownership. The ongoing conflict led to several rangers being injured in altercations with illegal occupants.
In 2016, a professional squatting syndicate fired machine guns and handcuffed the park rangers who were protecting the area.
In 2017, suspicious forest fires ravaged hundreds of newly planted tree seedlings.
In 2020, a quarry fenced off the reforestation site and hammered barbed wires into trees to block the park rangers’ access. They also received malicious attacks from the quarry’s cohorts.
Advocacy and Support
Various groups, including Caritas Philippines, have voiced concerns over the proposed cancellation of the agreement, emphasizing the importance of the Masungi Georeserve’s conservation efforts.
I agree that canceling the agreement would favor land grabbers and quarries over genuine environmental protection.
And if the agreement is broken, who else is going to take care of the land? All the work that Masungi put through will be for nothing.
The species that now call it home will suffer, the limestone rocks formed millions of years ago will be destroyed, and the thousands of trees planted will be cut down for one reason or another.
Of all the unjust things going on in this world, I hope at least this we can prevent.
Final Thoughts
The situation remains complex and contentious, with both Masungi and the DENR taking their arguments to the public and legal arenas. The outcome of this dispute will significantly impact the future of the Masungi Georeserve and its conservation efforts.
So here I am, a humble Filipino, doing my part by spreading awareness about the issues that Masungi is currently going through.
The goal is simple: to keep what’s left of our natural resources away from those who wish to use it for selfish gains.
I encourage you guys to support Masungi Georeserve through visits, donations, or advocacy. And like many others, share ways to stay informed and involved.
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