BuCor to probe titling of Masungi Georeserve

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has vowed to investigate the reported ”ocular inspection” of the Masungi Georeserve by some of its personnel.

Five cars and about 20 people who claimed to be BuCor personnel arrived at the conservation site at around 6 a.m. yesterday to conduct an ocular inspection, the Masungi Georeserve

Foundation reported yesterday.

In a statement, the foundation said the BuCor personnel showed a “newly minted title” for over 270 hectares of the property in the name of BuCor.

In a message to The STAR, BuCor acting director Gregorio Catapang Jr. said he would ask for an investigation report on the circumstances surrounding the incident.

He stressed that BuCor supports the Masungi Geopark project.

“There is nothing to worry about as we are all pro-environment,” Catapang said.

The foundation said the remaining 30 hectares of Lot 10 were reportedly titled in the name of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The foundation asked the government to intervene to uphold the Masungi Geopark project.

It asked for the appointment of a ”competent project manager” to resolve conflicts and prevent further violence against environment defenders.

The foundation also called for a stop to ”unending issuances and applications of unscrupulous instruments within Masungi and adjacent protected areas and make those responsible ac-countable.”