DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 28 March)—The 10-day temporary closure of Mt. Apo Natural Park (MANP) effective March 20 to 30 has been extended until the end of April amid threats of wildfires due to the El Niño phenomenon.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Davao (DENR–Davao) said that the MANP-Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) decided to extend the temporary closure of all trails and access points to the park for trekking and camping activities as a precautionary measure amid the prolonged dry spell caused by El Niño.
It said that dry spell increases risk of wildfires that threaten “the park’s diverse ecosystems and the safety of visitors.”
It added that the temporary closure is essential for the protection of the park and its inhabitants as the board is “dedicated to safeguarding the rich biodiversity of Mt. Apo and ensuring the well-being of all visitors.”
A major forest fire once engulfed the peak of Mount Apo during Holy Week in 2016 while several parts of the country were affected by drought. The fire raged for weeks and damaged an estimated area of 111 hectares.
The agency asked for understanding and cooperation as it encouraged trekkers and mountaineers who have already planned excursions during the closure period to contact their respective organizers to reschedule their climbs.
“The board will remain vigilant, continuously monitoring the situation, and will provide timely updates regarding the reopening of the park. We appeal to the public’s sense of responsibility to join us in this preventive measure to preserve the natural beauty and integrity of Mt. Apo,” it said.
Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak with an elevation of 3,143.6 meters and a predominantly a biodiversity hotspot, was declared a heritage park through the November 29, 1984 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Declaration on Heritage parks and Reserves and proclaimed as a protected area under National Integrated Protected Areas Systems of 1991.
Mt. Apo is among eight declared landmarks declared as heritage parks in the Philippines and one of the 38 in the 10-country ASEAN, which is composed of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The others are Mt. Iglit-Baco National Park in Occidental Mindoro, Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park in Bukidon, Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park in Misamis Occidental, Mt. Makiling Nature Reserve in Laguna, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan, Mt. Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument in Camiguin, and Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental.
According to ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, which serves as the secretariat of the ASEAN Heritage Parks Programme, Mt. Apo is known as the last stronghold of the remaining population of the rare and endangered Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi).
The Mount Apo Natural Park measures 54,974 hectares (with a buffer zone of 9,078 hectares), which covers Kidapawan City and municipalities of Makilala and Magpet in the Province of Cotabato in Soccsksargen; and municipalities of Bansalan, Sta Cruz, and Digos City in Davao del Sur and Davao City in Davao Region.
The ASEAN Heritage Parks are defined as “protected areas of high conservation importance, preserving in total a complete spectrum of representative ecosystems of the ASEAN region” and established “to generate greater awareness, pride, appreciation, enjoyment and conservation of ASEAN’s rich natural heritage, through a regional network of representative protected areas, and to generate collaboration among ASEAN member states in preserving their shared natural heritage.”
The mountain is also of “high value” as a major water source for both regions. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
