Ann Dumaliang, Managing Trustee of Masungi Georeserve Foundation, was recognized as one of 10 Asia-Pacific youth who are creating impact in environmental and social sustainability “in provinces and cities outside urban capitals.”

The award was given during the Eco-Business Youth A-List Awards Ceremony held last 3 March 2023 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Singapore.

The judging panel praised Masungi’s efforts that led to the cancellation of three Mineral Production Sharing Agreements in the Masungi Geopark Project and the Upper Marikina Watershed, which are considered to be few of the remaining green corridors close to Metro Manila.

In February 2023, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources confirmed the cancellation of the MPSAs occupying more than 1,300 hectares of the protected area.

This comes after a three-year campaign against quarrying that amassed support from more than 20,000 citizens and groups, including government, environment, education, and indigenous leaders.

“We recognize that it is worth taking a few hits for the benefit of the greater good, to endure the threats and backlash just to make things happen. We are thankful for the thousands of Filipinos who have supported our campaign. That has been really inspiring,” Dumaliang said.

Along with fellow youth A-listers, Dumaliang also served as a panelist in a plenary discussion on sustainability leadership and shared current issues the foundation is facing.

Earlier this February, the government’s Bureau of Corrections expressed plans to construct its headquarters in the conservation area, which was met with opposition from several environmental groups and citizens.

Following a series of new campaigns led by Masungi volunteers and supporters, BuCor officer-in-charge Gregorio Catapang Jr. announced on 7 March 2023 that it is deferring its plans to build its facilities in the area.

Awardees of the Youth A-List include Bintang Ekananda, Director and Co-founder of Alner; Gary Bencheghib, Co-founder of Sungai Watch; Kate Yeo, Founder of BYOBottle Campaign; Melati Wijsen, Co-founder of Bye-bye Plastic Bags and YOUTHOPIA; Neo Xiaoyun, Facilitator and Programmes Executive of The Untamed Paths; Niels Gabriel Nable, Head of Sustainability Reporting at the Manila Electric Company; Tan Shi-Zhou, Global Sustainability Consultant at Razer Inc.; Vriko Yu, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Archireef; and Zagy Berian, Founder of Society of Renewable Energy.

Established in 2009, Eco-Business is Asia Pacific’s largest media and business intelligence organization dedicated to sustainable development and Environmental, Social, and Governance performance.

Now in its fourth year, the Eco-Business A-List is a who’s who of the most influential individuals driving the sustainability agenda in Asia Pacific. Each year, it recognizes the movers and shakers who have demonstrated outstanding results in driving positive change in their respective fields over the past 12 months.