Tourism Board Enforces Strict Regulation For Summer, Holy Week Climb To Mt. Apo

The Mt. Apo Natural Park Protected Area Management Board Eco-Tourism Committee pushed a controlled climb for the annual summer and Holy Week to the country’s highest peak due to El Niño.

This was announced by Kidapawan City Tourism Officer Joey Recemilla, who also chairs the Eco-Tourism Committee composed of tourism officers of the local government units surrounding Mt. Apo.

Recemilla said the committee agreed to allow only 1,000 climbers. Of the total number, Kidapawan alone will allow 200 trekkers. As of February 29, there are already 60 Apo trekkers who have registered with all the LGUs for the summer climb and Holy week climb.

“(We will observe) strict enforcement of mountaineering law and forest prevention measures,” Recemilla said in a text message.

According to him, drought and fire prevention are the two main concerns of regulated climb this year. Recemilla said there is water shortage in many trails except in Kidapawan and Magpet, North Cotabato side.

He also cited a grass fire in Sitio Garok in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur and in Barangay Binaton in Digos City although this was already put out.

Recemilla said this would result in losses in terms of income of the communities particularly the guides and porters.

For Kidapawan alone, Recemilla expects loss of P300,000 on labor cost. “But the bulk of revenues are in the value chain at Agco where tourist arrival pegged at 20,000 – 30,000 for the whole summer.

Last year, the LGUs also enforced a controlled climb to reduce volume of trash and damage to trails but the number of trekkers reached 746 for the whole year.

Mt. Apo is the country’s highest peak with an elevation of 2,954 meters (9,692 ft) above sea level. It is located between Davao City and Davao del Sur province in Region 11 and Cotabato province in Region 12. The peak overlooks Davao City 45 kilometers (28 mi) to the northeast, Digos City 25 kilometers (16 mi) to the southeast, and Kidapawan City 20 kilometers (12 mi) to the west. (PNA) LAP/LILIAN C. MELLEJOR/LDP