THE Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) announced on Thursday the reopening on April 12 of trails going to Mt. Apo Natural Park after almost a year since a grassfire burned some portions of the mountain that led to its indefinite closure.
Joey Recimilla, chairman of the PAMB committee on eco-tourism told VoxPop Davao Friday that the PAMB members, the highest policy-making body in Mt. Apo, approved the request of various concerned local government units (LGUs) on March 23 during PAMB-En banc meeting to open Mt. Apo to climbers and other activities.
This is through Resolution 01 series of 2017 stating the lifting of the prohibition to climb to the mountain.
Recimilla said that the Camping Management Rules will be strictly implemented.
He said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-PAMB decided to open the terrain to give way for more economic opportunities among the residents dwelling in the area and promote ecotourism.
"It is better to open it because trekking activities is not destructive. In fact it is ecotourism," he said.
For now, he said that the permit fee rose to P2,000 and P2,500 for standard and peak season where a refresher course will be included. The rate is 50 percent higher compared to the previous collections that ranged from P1,000 to P1,500.
On top of the permit fees, the hikers will pay an additional exit fees of P1,000 to P1,500.
Mt. Apo has various entry points including Davao City, Sta. Cruz, Digos City, Kidapawan City, Makilala, and Magpet.
The DENR will place a permanent monitoring team to ensure that rules are followed.
Among the new policies under the camp management are restriction of liquor, smoking, and sleeping at the peak during night.
The trekkers, he said, must only visit the peak and capture photos and leave before night arrives.
With the opening, mountaineers can also help in seeing to it that no illegal activities are made and can be reported to DENR should there be any.
Unlike before where many climbers are allowed to trek, the PAMB agreed to limit the number of trekkers to 50 per entry point. This is to regulate the number to ensure the preservation of the mountain.
All the violators will pay a penalty of P2,000 for any violations.
On March 26, 2016, an estimated 111 hectares of grasslands in Mt. Apo was razed in a fire believed to have been started by irresponsible trekkers who left a fire unattended. The grassfire took the authorities more than one month to declare it fired out.
Re-opening protest
While many rejoice for the opening, Jennifer Marabulas, who has been climbing various mountain all over the country for nine years and a regular climber in Mt. Apo, said although she is happy because the beauty of Mt. Apo will be showcased again for the tourist, she was also concerned that the situation in Mt. Apo will worsen considering that it is still in the process of healing and recovering from the devastation.
“It is better that they would not allow yet climbers considering the damage it has suffered last year. The plants have not grown yet and the newly planted plants might be destructed because of the trekkers,” she said.
Marabulas told her fellow mountaineers to obey the rules and apply it every time they climb, especially in Mt. Apo, adding that they should also observe proper segregation of waste and respect the nature as they respect their own parents.
“The environment doesn’t need us, we need the environment,” Marabulas said.
Dr. Ted Esguerra, who was the expedition and wellness EMS physician in Mount Everest and is a well-known disaster response doctor who hails from Bansalan, Davao del Sur, is more vocal against the re-opening of the mountain.
In his Facebook page, Dr. Esguerra wrote: "If you are indeed a mountaineer, you will respect Mt. Apo and not climb it for another 9 years... if you really are. (Unless you are part of the Mt Apo rehabilitation teams OR you are part of the Tree Growing campaign Team OR a scientist who is into eagle and other fauna/flora conservation/ preservation)."
Rad Darantinao Cambronero wrote: "I rarely rant on Facebook but I believe Mount Apo isn't calling anyone. The mountain deserves a rest. Sadly, it's all about the Money. Yes. I dare say it's all about the money." Cambronero identifies himself as being from Makilala, North Cotabato.
Harry Chester Firman Camoro, who identifies himself as the executive officer of the Davao Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office said, "I grew up climbing Mount Apo. I wept when it burned. And even randomly drive to Kapatagan to appreciate its beauty from a far. D*mn it. I dared to climb its guardian, Mt. Talomo, last month despite the 12-hr. heavy rain just to catch a closer glimpse of Apo. And now, just to take advantage of the "Facebook mountaineering" fad, they'll open it? Goodness makita gikan sa highway sa digos nga wa pa maulian ang bukid (you can see from the Digos City highway that the mountain hasn’t recovered yet). If you are after money… think of something else. Leave Mount Apo alone!"
"I am against it. You just don't know how difficult it is for us to collect your garbage, protect and put off the disaster you have caused. Let the mountain heal for itself in a given time... I feel sad..." he added.