Mt. Kanlaon now off limits to mountaineers

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

MANILA -- Mountaineers, both local and foreign, wishing to scale Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Occidental may have to forego plans of visiting the place due to cracks and landslides caused by the recent strong quake in the Visayas.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje announced on Tuesday that the department has suspended indefinitely all mountaineering activities at Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP) to ensure the safety of mountaineers and other park visitors.

"The department's decision to suspend mountain climbing and trekking activities to Mt. Kanlaon is to ensure the safety of tourists, both local and foreign," he said.

He also advised field personnel conducting assessment and monitoring activities to be watchful of possible falling rocks and other sediments from the landslide affected areas.

In a report, DENR-MKNP park superintendent Cecil Cañada said that based on initial assessment, some portions of the Mt. Kanlaon's crater have been affected by last week's earthquake.

"There were cracks on the volcano surface and landslides. Mountain trails and the eco-tourism area of the park were also affected," she said, adding that advance booking and trekking permits have also been suspended until further notice.

Also, Cañada said frequent aftershocks coupled with occasional heavy rainfall could pose danger to the lives of mountain trekkers and tourists.

Mount Kanlaon straddles the cities of Bago, La Carlota and San Carlos City; and the municipalities of Murcia and La Castellana, all in Negros Occidental. Its boundaries also extend up to Canlaon City of Negros Oriental. (Sunnex)