Baby steps
Just last week, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered the cancellation of the quarrying permits (MPSAs or mineral production sharing agreements) of three companies operating in the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL) and Masungi Geopark Project. This came after a three-year campaign by members of the Upper Marikina Watershed Coalition (UMWC), which is composed of Kalikasan-People’s Network for the Environment, Alyansa Tigil Mina, Non-Timber Forest Products – Exchange Program, Youth Advocates for Climate Action-Philippines, Youth Strike for Climate Philippines, World Economic Forum Global Shapers Manila Hub, and Masungi Georeserve Foundation.