Wednesday, November 09, 2005

A Mountain Climbing Festival via Bongolanon, Magpet Trail will run until 12 November to celebrate the re-opening of the Philippines’ highest peak, Mt. Apo, after its four years of closure. Nature-lovers and adventure-seekers are again given the chance to climb and marvel at its distinctive beauty.

Foreign trekkers will be charged Php750, while local guests will pay Php500. What is more, a 20% discount will be given to students in all levels and senior citizens.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano expressed, “The Department of Tourism (DOT) is pleased with this new development. This will definitely boost tourism in the region, with Mt. Apo as one of the prime attractions.”

Rich in natural resources, Mt. Apo has fascinated visitors from all over the Philippines and from other countries. While some are responsible enough to strictly adhere to a mountaineer’s credo, some are just pleasure-seeking adventurers who do not care at all about preserving nature. Thus, these irresponsible actions have caused destruction to the mountain’s ecosystem and prompted a call to resuscitate its greenery and keep it in good condition. The restoration integrated a cleanup drive and refurbishment of rich vegetation to ensure the protection of the Philippine eagle and century-old trees, among hundreds of species of captivating flora and fauna, sulfur craters, and massive boulders.

Alongside some non-government organizations, the DOT has helped in the conservation of the renowned peak. “Being one of the famous landmarks of the Davao region, Mt. Apo should offer new activities to attract more visitors without endangering the environment,” Durano pointed out.

To guarantee that Mt. Apo will be protected and no longer be jeopardized, an orientation for all climbers will be held to reiterate policies and discuss the possible penalty for not abiding by the regulations. Another measure to save the trails from harm is the prohibition of using firewood for cooking and campfire activities as these were noted to have contributed greatly to the degradation of Mt. Apo and its surroundings.