PSA: Mt. Apo National Park closed for three months starting June

The Mount Apo National Park (MANP) will be closed to the public for three months starting in June to allow the mountain to recover and its wildlife to freely roam in their natural habitats. 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Davao announced on Tuesday, June 5 that the protected park will be having its annual three-month closure starting this June until August 31.

During this period, all trekking and camping activities will be prohibited at all opened trails in the natural park covering regions Davao and Soccsksargen to “give time for the sacred mountain to recuperate and allow wildlife to roam their natural habitats without anthropogenic intervention.” 

This is in accordance with Mount Apo Natural Park-Protected Area Management Board (MANP-PAMB)’s En Banc Resolution No. 06, series of 2021, of the off-season of Mt. Apo which aims to ensure the protection and conservation of the mountain. 

This initiative is part of the agency’s efforts to declare it as a UNESCO Global Geopark, highlighting its aesthetic, economic, cultural, and ecological importance.

Mt. Apo stands at 9,692 feet above sea level, making it the highest mountain in the Philippines. The stratovolcano houses 272 bird species, 111 of which are endemic, including the Philippine eagle, which is the largest of its kind in the world. 

The mountain suffered from trash and vandalism in the past years, which pushed the local government to implement strict laws for the visitors.  

It was also closed off to the public in April due to the El Niño phenomenon that increased the risk of wildfires.