FILE PHOTO: Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak, as seen from Sitio Bagong Silang, Barangay Managa, Bansalan, Davao del Sur, on January 28, 2020. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Mount Apo Natural Park will remain closed to the public until April 30, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Davao said.
DENR-Davao explained that the decision to extend Mount Apo Natural Park’s temporary closure considered the prevailing El Niño, which heightens the risk of wildfires that may be dangerous to its ecosystems and visitors.
DENR-Davao initially said the interim shutdown of Mount Apo Natural Park would be for 10 days, from March 20 to 30, due to El Niño.
READ: Mount Apo trekking activities suspended due to El Niño
“The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of Mount Apo Natural Park (MANP), after careful evaluation, has decided to extend the temporary closure of all trails and access points to the park for trekking and camping activities until the end of April 2024,” the DENR-Davao said in a March 28 Facebook post.
“This measure is in response to the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, which has led to a prolonged dry spell and increased the risk of wildfires, threatening the park’s diverse ecosystems and the safety of visitors,” it added.
READ: Mount Apo illegal srtuctures discovered
The agency then advised trekkers and mountaineers who had planned excursions during the closure period to reschedule their climbs.
“The board will remain vigilant, continuously monitoring the situation, and will provide timely updates regarding the reopening of the park,” the DENR-Davao said.
“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 likewise said.
Mount Apo stands at 2,954 meters above sea level. It is a favorite destination of mountaineers, especially during summer.
It can be reached through six trails starting from Kidapawan, Makilala, and Magpet in Cotabato province and Digos, Sta. Cruz, and Bansalan in Davao del Sur province.