DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DOT)-Davao Director Roberto Alabado III appealed to the Protected Area Management Board (Pamb) on March 30 to reconsider its recent announcement on the reopening of Mt. Apo Natural Park for trekkers.
Speaking at the sidelines of Wednesday's Habi at Kape media forum at Abreeza Ayala Mall, Davao City, Alabado underscored that the country's highest peak needs to fully recover.
“If that is the decision of Pamb, the highest policy-making body for Mt. Apo that is composed of community, government agencies, we respect but we also have to reflect on it. For us, climbing as part of ecotourism, environment should always be the priority,” he said.
He said those who would climb Mt. Apo now will most likely not have a complete experience of Mt. Apo.
“They may enjoy the climb but never the view as it is still recovering, remnants of the grass fire are still evident. From the tourism point of view, I am hesitant. What will they see up there? Bad. I do not want that, I want them to see green, bounty scene that is why it is better to close it maybe three to five years,” Alabado said, adding that the community reliant to the mountain’s activities should be given alternative livelihood programs.
The DOT earlier said that its request (special permit) for reopening Mt. Apo was just for the Visit Davao Fun Sale 2017-related activities, which will span only for two weeks; not opening the peak for good.
But if the Pamb stance remains firm, Alabado said stricter regulations must be implemented to avoid devastating situations.
“We must ensure that all activities will not degrade the area and strict monitoring will be applied. Some are saying, which we believe makes sense, is that trekkers should undergo basic mountaineering seminar, not just a 10-minute orientation,” he said.
The community, he said, shall also benefit from any activity done within the area.
rTo take part in the highest peak’s recovery, Alabado also suggested that mountaineers should explore other climbing spots in the region like Mt. Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental and Mt. Kandalaga in Compostela Valley.
He is also proposing to implement an open-closed season in Mt. Apo for trekkers.
“With this scheme, we can concentrate our efforts in managing and monitoring trekkers,” Alabado said.
Alabado said trek management plan should be implemented, wherein climbing on certain period will be allowed but limited, adding that the possible close season will be every summer, the peak of trekking season when more chances of grass fires happen.
Last March 23, Pamb announced the reopening on April 12 of trails going to Mt. Apo Natural Park after almost a year since a grassfire burned some portions of the mountain that led to its indefinite closure.
Joey Recimilla, chairman of the Pamb committee on eco-tourism, told SunStar Davao Friday that the Pamb members approved the request of various concerned local government units (LGUs) on March 23 during the Pamb en banc meeting to open Mt. Apo to climbers and other activities.
He said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Pamb decided to open the terrain to give way for more economic opportunities among the residents dwelling in the area and promote ecotourism.
For now, he said the permit fee rose to P2,000 and P2,500 for standard and peak season where a refresher course will be included. The rate is 50 percent higher compared to the previous collections that ranged from P1,000 to P1,500.
On top of the permit fees, the hikers will pay an additional exit fee of P1,000 to P1,500.
The DENR will place a permanent monitoring team to ensure that rules are followed.
Among the new policies under the camp management are restriction of liquor, smoking, and sleeping at the peak during night.
The trekkers, he said, must only visit the peak and capture photos and leave before night arrives.
Unlike before where many climbers are allowed to trek, the Pamb agreed to limit the number of trekkers to 50 per entry point. This is to regulate the number to ensure the preservation of the mountain.
Violators will pay a penalty of P2,000. (With JCR)