THE Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR)-Davao Region might order the closure of Mount Apo to trekkers if environmental laws and health protocols will not be strictly observed.
In an issued notice to all stakeholders dated February 17, DENR-Davao Executive Director Bagani Fidel Evasco ordered the officials to further intensify the enforcement of environmental laws within the mountain.
Evasco, together with selected officials and personnel from Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur, recently conducted a trail and camp assessment from February 11 to 14, passing Sitio Paradise Digos trail to Camp Gudi-Gudi then to the summit.
The monitoring team noted the non-observance of proper waste disposal along the trails and campsites, sanitation, and health protocols.
They also noticed vandalism along trails, campsites, engraved on the boulders, peak, and even at the crater.
They also observed unregulated noise along the trails and camps disturbs the wildlife and disrupts the serenity of the trekking experience; presence of alarming cultivation beyond the Strict Protection Zone; possible use of prohibited substances due to presence of marijuana found at the 87-degree trail going to the crater and peak.
DENR-Davao also saw the non-observance of Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) guidelines in terms of social distancing limiting the number of trekkers from 50 regular capacity to 25 climbers per climb per day, which is a 50 percent reduction of trekkers in compliance to Sub-Protected Area Management Board (Sub-Pamb) Resolution 27, Series of 2020 and IATF Omnibus Guidelines.
"If left unabated, the closure of Mt. Apo might be possible in the coming days, when necessary, in order to pave the way for the immediate rehabilitation of the Natural Park's Trails and Campsite," DENR-Davao said in a notice.
The agency urged all stakeholders in Mt. Apo Natural Park "to cooperate collaboratively and unite for the betterment of our Nation's Highest Peak and Asean Heritage Site."
In a recent SunStar Davao report, Evasco, along with some officials and protected area conservationists, went on trekking during the long weekend "to personally observe and assess the condition of the mountain."
"The goal is to assess the trail conditions and campsite situation in order to determine and strengthen preservation and conservation mechanisms for Mount Apo, which was hailed as an Asean Heritage Site in 2011," DENR-Davao said, adding that it is considering putting up facilities for a more convenient trekking experience.
During their activity, they noticed that there were a lot of trekkers during that time despite "rainfalls and strenuous trails."
DENR-Davao reminded the public that Mount Apo is an established protected area by virtue of Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 and Republic Act 9237.
"DENR-Davao is urging the trekkers to be responsible and follow the guidelines and policies set by the PAMB. Otherwise, repercussions will not only entail fines and punishments but also damage to nature. For sure that by now, we have realized that nature's revenge can be 'unforgiving'," the agency said.
It also reminded the public to trek responsibly and to respect all the species in Mount Apo.
The mountain is under the management and regulation of the Protected Area Management Board, composed of members, including DENR's regional executive director as chairman and advisor on technical aspects.
According to the Philippine Official Gazette, Mount Apo, located between Davao City and Davao del Sur province in Davao Region, and Cotabato in Soccsksargen, is the highest mountain in the Philippines.