Despite fires, no Banahaw closure

PILGRIMS light candles in one of the supposed sacred spots in Mount Banahaw, which was recently hit by what officials believed was man-made fire. PHOTO FROM TANGGOL KALIKASAN-SOUTHERN TAGALOG

LUCENA CITY—Despite three fires that raged for days in Mount Banahaw and Mount San Cristobal, and are believed to be man-made, environment officials have decided to keep Mt. Banahaw open to pilgrims during Lent, although with what they say are more stringent rules.

At a meeting on Wednesday in Tayabas City, officials of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), an agency created by law to keep watch over the country’s protected areas, decided to enforce what they described as stricter rules governing entry into Mt. Banahaw.

Cultists and other religious groups consider the mountain a sacred place and a pilgrimage site.

The PAMB issued a new set of rules for entry into Mt. Banahaw, including increased fines and stiffer penalties for violators.

The agency has ordered

Mt. Banahaw closed to many human activities, except for pilgrimages and research work, until February 2016.

The new rules widen the area that is classified as restricted and now includes Mt. San Cristobal.

Reynulfo Juan, regional head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), said that starting April 7, the PAMB, which he also chairs, would publicize and post copies of the new resolution it issued governing entry into the two mountains in prominent places.

The rules will be in effect during Holy Week, he said, when up to 500,000 people are expected to trek to Mt. Banahaw in search of miracles and a venue for meditation.

Lawyer Sheila de Leon, executive director of environment legal defense center Tanggol Kalikasan-Southern Tagalog and PAMB legal consultant, listed some of the new rules, which include a ban on the use of soap or shampoo in rivers in the mountain, a ban on alcoholic drinks and a ban on smoking.

Banned items will be seized and violators will face fines and penalties, like tree planting and mountain cleanup, said De Leon.

Visitors to Mt. Banahaw are required to register and pay a P20 fee in centers manned by the DENR in the towns of Dolores and Sariaya, the two entry points into the mountain during Holy Week.

Those claiming to be doing research to justify entry will be made to prove their claim and be allowed to stay for up to a night and two days.

Violations of the rules carry penalties, like imprisonment and fines ranging from P100 to P500,000, said De Leon.

Some religious groups expressed disagreement over the new rules.

Alfredo Garcia, member of the sect Suprema de la Iglesia Del Ciudad Mistica De Dios in Mt. Banahaw, said no law could stop pilgrims from conducting rituals in Mt. Banahaw.

“A devotee will do everything to exercise his faith,” said Garcia, who is also a member of the PAMB.

He said pilgrims should be allowed to get to the mountain top and pray to “complete the spiritual journey.”

“It’s a must for a sect member to reach the top,” he said.

Juan, however, said no one would be exempted from the new rules. “While we respect the freedom of our citizens to conduct their religious practices, it should not be at the expense of the environment,” he said.

The PAMB, he said, will deputize 50 more forest guards during Holy Week.

The third fire to hit Mt. San Cristobal was put out on Thursday night. Officials said it was started by slash and burn farmers.

“These fires are man-made,” said Salud Pangan, DENR park superintendent for Mt. Banahaw and Mt. San Cristobal.