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Nilbert Marquez, 28, is a Dumagat from Quezon province, stands on a dried-up streambed, sharing stories of the changes he has witnessed since his first day as a forest ranger at Masungi. During his first year, this stream alone would only hold water for about three months each year. Today, it retains water for up to six consecutive months – a clear sign of improvement brought about by consistent and effective conservation efforts.
Their message is clear: environmental protection and biodiversity conservation are not optional: these are human and environmental rights that demand concrete commitment from the government to safeguard nature and the people who defend it.
While the Masungi Georeserve continues to fight on all fronts – legal, political, and territorial – forest rangers like Nilbert remain on the ground, steadfast in their daily work of protecting and growing the forest.
“There are a lot of vested interests here, particularly powerful people. They are trying to block the restoration efforts because there is something else that they want to do, especially with the lands."
"We hope the current electoral hopefuls walk their talk of environmental and climate concern by standing with our embattled defenders. We should call out the worsening violence they face and demand accountability from the outgoing public authorities."
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