Leonardo DiCaprio has joined the call to protect the Masungi Georeserve in the Philippines. In a recent Instagram post, the Oscar-winning actor and environmental advocate highlighted the area’s history of illegal deforestation in the late 1990s and the subsequent efforts of local communities to restore its ecosystem.
“From these conservation initiatives, trees were able to grow taller, wildlife numbers slowly increased, and more locals became involved in protecting this ecosystem,” DiCaprio wrote. He emphasized that Masungi’s success is now “in jeopardy” due to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) threat to cancel the agreement that protects the area from land grabbing activities.
“This cancellation would set back the success of an internationally acclaimed conservation effort and leave the area vulnerable again to mining, logging, and illegal developments,” he added.
DiCaprio urged Philippine President Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos Jr. to intervene and protect Masungi. He also shared a link to the Protect Masungi petition.
The award-winning Masungi Georeserve, located in Baras, Rizal, is a conservation area, rainforest landscape, and popular hiking destination. It is home to 400 species of flora and fauna, including the rare Jurassic Plant found only in Luzon.
The Masungi Georeserve Foundation recently expressed concerns over their future due to DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga’s plan to cancel the 2017 Memorandum of Agreement between the foundation and the DENR. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has reiterated that Masungi is a protected forest reserve.
DiCaprio’s call adds to a growing list of celebrities supporting the project, including Dr. Jane Goodall, Greta Thunberg, and Sting. Local celebrities such as SB19’s Justin, Nadine Lustre, and Glaiza De Castro have also joined the movement.
In response to DiCaprio’s post, the DENR issued a statement: “The Filipino people own the area occupied by Masungi Georeserve Foundation, and the operation of the resort venues that charge the public for day tours, meetings, and weddings remains non-compliant with Philippine laws.”
The Masungi Georeserve Foundation responded on X (formerly Twitter), clarifying, “The Masungi Georeserve is a non-profit conservation initiative run by the MGFI, a non-stock, non-profit Foundation duly registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Masungi is therefore not a resort, which is built for the primary purpose of entertainment and profit.”
