Local government units (LGUs) overseeing Mount Apo Natural Park are advocating for its designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark, a prestigious recognition aimed at bolstering conservation efforts for the Philippines’ highest peak, according to a tourism official. Julius Paner, tourism officer of Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, stated during PEP Talks at SM Lanang Premier that the LGUs have met UNESCO’s requirements and are awaiting further instructions for additional documentation. Paner emphasized that UNESCO Global Geopark status would heighten awareness and protection efforts for Mount Apo, ensuring its preservation post-inscription. If approved, Mount Apo would become the Philippines’ second UNESCO Global Geopark, following Bohol Island, joining a global network of 229 geoparks across 50 countries. Paner highlighted Mount Apo’s unique geological features, including its boulder face, lakes, sulfur vents, and craters, as key factors supporting its potential inscription. Unlike a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which focuses on cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value, a Global Geopark emphasizes sites of international geological significance managed for protection, education, and sustainable development. Mount Apo, a biodiversity hotspot and ASEAN Heritage Park since 1984, spans 54,974 hectares across multiple municipalities and cities in Cotabato, Davao del Sur, and Davao regions. It is home to the critically endangered Philippine Eagle and was declared a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992, amended in 2018. UNESCO noted that Global Geoparks foster local pride and strengthen community ties by highlighting the geological heritage’s role in history and society, addressing global challenges like sustainable resource use and climate change. Mount Apo remains a popular eco-tourism destination and a vital sanctuary for diverse ecosystems.
