Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 20) — The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Monday confirmed plans to build housing facilities and a training center in 270 hectares of Masungi Georeserve in the rainforests of Rizal, of which the bureau claims ownership.
According to the Masungi Georeserve communications team, the georeserve is 300 hectares, which means majority is claimed by BuCor.
“Hindi naman lahat bundok ‘yung 270 hectares. May patag din ‘yun, it can be developed for other purposes. Sayang naman kung nakatiwangwang,” acting BuCor chief Gregorio Catapang said in a press conference.
[Translation: The 270 hectares are not all mountains. It also has a flat area, it can be developed for other purposes. It’s a shame if it’s deserted.]
Catapang added that constructing housing facilities in the area will help in retirement declaration and benefits of BuCor’s uniformed personnel.
“At least man lang pag-retire nila mayroon silang bahay na matitirahan and at the same time habang nagta-trabaho sila dito, mayroon silang housing,” Catapang said.
[Translation: At least when they retire, they have a house to live in and at the same time while they work here, they have housing.]
‘Pro-environment’
The Masungi Georeserve Foundation earlier warned that the conservation area is “mountainous and geologically unbuildable.”
“There are many viable alternative sites elsewhere. Masungi is a priceless legacy of the nation that should be preserved at all costs instead of destroyed,” the group’s statement read.
During the press conference, Catapang said all BuCor’s activities in the area will be “pro-environment.”
“We also need the area, naiintindihan niyo sana ‘yung sitwasyon namin. But it will be pro-environment I assure you. Hindi natin sasaktan ang kalikasan,” he said.
[Translation: We also need the area, I hope you understand our situation. But it will be pro-environment I assure you. We will not harm nature.]
The BuCor chief said he is coordinating with the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning on how to best develop the area.
On Thursday, the Masungi Georeserve Foundation reported five cars and 20 men from the BuCor arrived in the area to conduct an ocular.
A day after, BuCor released a statement claiming ownership the land, and has all the right to conduct any activity within the Masungi Georeserve.
READ: BuCor claims to own majority of Masungi Georeserve, relocates headquarters
