DENR plans to open parts of Banahaw for climbers, trekkers

LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Philippines—The mystical Mount Banahaw is still close to the public until February 2015 but the management board overseeing the protection of the mountain and the adjacent Mount San Cristobal is planning to reopen parts of the mountains for trekking and climbing, according to an environment official.

Salud Pangan, the park superintendent for Banahaw of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, disclosed that the Protected Areas and Management Board (PAMB) for Banahaw and Mount San Cristobal has drafted a plan for the “potential reopening” of the mountains for trekking and climbing.

She said the board would likely open mountain spots, which were not included in the restricted sections of Banahaw.

“Some parts of Mount Banahaw are still closed until 2015,” she stressed. She said camping, praying and other religious activities would be allowed only in designated areas.

She said the PAMB’s plan was approved by DENR-Regional Executive Director Reynulfo Juan after a meeting held on March 14 in Nagcarlan, Laguna.

Pangan said the planned reopening could pose a “unique challenge” to the park’s eco-tourism management.

She said they would have to map out all the trails, firm up regulations, decide on the fees and tourism products, and put all of these in place for the selective opening.

In a phone interview, Pangan said the plan would be immediately implemented within 2013 upon the completion by the PAMB of all the preparation.

In a statement, Juan, also the PAMB chairman, said their initial assessment showed the protected landscape was able to recover during its last nine years of closure.

He said, however, that threats to the landscape have not been eliminated and that Mount Banahaw would need more time to rest.

“During the Lenten season, Banahaw is most threatened,” said Juan.

He reminded pilgrims not to enter the restricted area, observe proper waste disposal and not to engage in vandalism.

Many religious believers would climb Banahaw, particularly during the Lenten season, believing it is inhabited by heavenly spirits.

Mount Banahaw, a traditional pilgrimage site for religious devotees and mountaineers, straddles the municipalities of Lucban, Tayabas, Sariaya, Candelaria and Dolores in Quezon and parts of the towns of Rizal, Nagcarlan, Liliw and Majayjay and San Pablo City in Laguna.

Most of the 2,177-meter mountain, which spans an area of 11,133 hectares, remains closed to the public until 2015.

Banahaw, which used to be visited by about half a million people during the Holy Week, has been closed to the public since 2004 to allow areas damaged by slash-and-burn farming and littering to recover.

Source:Inquirer.net

Martsa bilang protesta

Mga mountaineer na nag martsa bilang protesta sa pag lalagay nang hagdanan sa Mt.APO

Source: GMAnetworknews

New policies and updates for Mt. Guiting-Guiting

Mt. Guiting-Guiting National Parkabout new policies and updates on the mountain which were approved last February 28, 2013. Here are the major highlights:

1. Everyone is required to register in the Protected Area Office (PAO) before hiking to sign a waiver. Those who fail to comply with this will not be issued a permit, and will not be given a climb certificate. This requirement covers all hikers, including those who are doing a Guiting-Guiting traverse.

2. It is highly recommended that hikers arriving by ferry would proceed to the market to buy supplies, then to Tampayan proper to secure guides. The tricycle ride is P300/way. The official jumpoff is the DENR Park Office.

3. Entrance fee is P300 for local and foreign visitors. Lodging at the Protected Area Office (PAO) Complex is P500/room/day (maximum 3 persons) or P200/person.

4. Guide fee is P1,000/day for foreigners, and P800/day for Filipinos. Porterage fee for foreigners and locals is P600/day.

5. For the regular trail (via Mayo's Peak to summit), the required ratio is 1 guide and 1 porter for 1-5 mountaineers. For the traverse trail, the requirement is 1 guide and 1 porter for 1-3 mountaineers.

6. As per the carrying capacity assessment conducted by the DENR-ERDS and the Guide Association recommendation, 128 persons are allowed to camp the campsites in Mayo's Peak during peak season and 32 during off-season; 18 at the summit, and 18 at Traverse Camp 3.

7. For more information, the new contact numbers of Park Superintendent (PASU) Malvin Rocero are 09359419563 (Globe) and 09496516340 (Smart).

by Mr. Andy Regla

Source: PinoyMountaineer

Kidapawan City to build 7-km stairway to Mt. Apo's summit

The online news portal of TV5

KIDAPAWAN CITY - The Kidapawan City government is set to build a 16,620-step trail step - to be called "Hagdan ni Apo" - ascending to the peak of majestic Mt. Apo, to facilitate tourism while also discouraging the establishment of new, unsanctioned trails.

Apo's summit, the country's highest at 9,692 feet, overlooks the city 20 kilometers to the west.

The project, which was presented to the Kidapawan City Tourism Council and media last week by the city government's Investment and Tourism Promotions Office, would cost at least P2.5 million.

Tourism Officer Joey Recemilla said the trail steps would cover at least seven kilometers, starting from Barangay Ilomavis in Kidapawan City where the Mindanao Geothermal Production Field of the Energy Development Corporation is located.

As a safety feature, protective ropes will be included along the steps, said Recemilla.

Hanging bridge over Marble River

The city government is also set to build a hanging bridge across the Marble River, one of the longest rivers in North Cotabato.

"The project also includes the construction of state-of-the-art public rest rooms at the Marble River and Lake Venado," the plan shows.

The Welcome Center would be located at the entrance of the Mandarangan trail, one of the trails used by climbers to reach the summit. Plans also include the construction of a Research and Conservation Center in the area.

In North Cotabato, the Mt. Apo summit can be reached using trails from Kidapawan City and from towns of Makilala and Magpet.

The mountain is one of the most popular climbing destinations in the country.

"This time, we will make the tour to the peak a lot easier for tourists by constructing a permanent stairway," Recemilla said.

"Also, by building structures along the pathway leading to the peak, it would discourage tourists and local to create a new trail and other mode of activities that will further destroy the natural park. At least 64,053 hectares of the mountain is considered part of the Mount Apo Natural Park," explained Recemilla.

The project, said Recemilla, will strengthen the conservation and preservation of the mountain and at the same time, “bring economic gain in the local tourism industry” through jobs creation, livelihood projects, and increase in local taxes.

"It will also position Kidapawan City as a major tourism hub in North Cotabato and in the entire Central Mindanao," said Recemilla.

With initial funding of P1 million from the city LGU, Recemilla said work on the steps will begin "anytime soon."




Source: interAksyon