Masungi needs 'free prior and informed consent' from IPs to operate—NCIP

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples said the Masungi Georeserve Foundation in Rizal should have a “free prior and informed consent” from the indigenous peoples in the area before it could operate.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Mark Salazar, the NCIP said Masungi lacks the requirement which should prove that its operation has the go-ahead of the Dumagat tribe which considers the area as its ancestral land.

Without the consent, the NCIP said Masungi should stop operations.

The foundation, meanwhile, said it has been waiting for a year for the endorsement of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the free prior and informed consent document.                                                             
“Ang hinihintay namin mula sa DENR ay yung kanilang endorsement na mahigit isang taon na namin hinihintay, hinihintay ito ng mga katutubo, hinihintay ito ng NCIP responsibilidad nyo pa rin ito sa ilalim ng MOA at in effect pa ito,” Masungi Georeserve managing trustee Ann Dumaliang said.

The foundation also showed to the GMA Integrated News the manifesto of support of the indigenous tribe for their conservation and reforestation projects in Masungi Georeserve.

“Ito yung ilang bahagi ng Pilipinas na kailangan nating pangalagaan dahil apektado ang buhay ng maraming tao sa paligid dapat sana ganun ang perspektibo natin mas long term kasi sa hulit huli ito lang meron tayo,” Dumaliang said.

The Masungi Georeserve Foundation also appealed to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to mediate in the issue.

“Ang climate action ay isang pillar ng kanyang agenda at ang Masungi ay isang multi-awarded conservation and reforestation organization sa Pilipinas na nagpapakitang kayang gawin ng Pinoy kaya nating ayusin ang kailangan natin ayusin dito,” Dumaliang said.

GMA Integrated News is still trying to get the side of the DENR and NCIP on the issue.—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA Integrated News