Benguet town suspends trekking due to forest fires
Grass fire hits Mt. Kabunian in Bakun, Benguet on Maundy Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Photo taken by Bakun Tourguide Groups / from Bakun MDRRM Council / Facebook)
ITOGON, Benguet — Authorities here have suspended trekking and other eco-tourism activities in key mountain destinations as forest fires across Benguet continue to rise, already surpassing last year’s record.
In Executive Order No. 21, series of 2026, Mayor Bernard Waclin ordered the temporary closure of major eco-tourism sites in Itogon, citing the growing number of fires fueled by extreme heat and dry conditions.
“Whereas, just recently forest fires have been prevalent in the municipality amid the hot weather, destroying wide portions of mountain ranges at the different,” the order stated, adding that rapidly spreading fires pose serious risks to both responders and the public.
READ: Benguet hit by early forest fires
The suspension covers Ave Maria, Mount Bidawan, Mount Cotcot, Mount Pigingan, Mount Ulap, and Mount Ugo, where trekking, camping, fun runs, and similar activities are now prohibited until further notice.
The said order took effect right after it was signed on April 20.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Itogon, 26 fire incidents have been recorded this year. Among the latest was a blaze in Barangay Ampucao that burned around 17 hectares before it was declared out on April 10. An earlier fire razed about 1.5 hectares of forest in February in the said barangay.
The largest fire in Itogon this year hit around 80 hectares within the Philex Mining Corporation area from March 12 to 14.
BFP Cordillera Administrative Region recorded 38 forest fires across Benguet from January to April 7, already far exceeding the 14 cases logged for the entire year of 2025.
Local officials said the increasing number of incidents has made eco-tourism sites particularly vulnerable, prompting preemptive measures to prevent injuries and further environmental damage.
The order directs the police, BFP, disaster officials, and barangay authorities to enforce the suspension. The Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office has been tasked to intensify fire prevention efforts and public awareness campaigns on activities that commonly trigger forest and grass fires. /das
