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Fewer trekkers brave Mt. Apo amid stricter policies

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Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News Davao

<p>The number of trekkers on Mt. Apo&#x27;s North Cotabato trails dwindled this Holy Week, as authorities imposed stricter policies. </p><p>The Protected Area Management Board opened the trails on Holy Thursday, more than a year after a month-long forest fire razed parts of the mountain and its century-old trees. </p><p>On the Kidapawan City trail, only 31 climbers registered for the &quot;Lenten Climb,&quot; far less than the average 200 trekkers who hiked the country&#x27;s highest peak in previous years. </p><p>Most of those who joined the Lenten Climb were from Mindanao, while a few others were from Cebu and Manila, Kidapawan tourism officer Joey Remecilla said. </p><p>Remecilla said only 50 trekkers for each trail a day will be allowed to climb Mt. Apo. </p><p>Authorities, he added, have also prohibited camping along trails and on the peak. </p><p>&quot;Noon kasi we allow them to camp along the trail. That is why pag-9 in the morning, cut-off na tayo. &#x27;Pag di ka nakarating ng 9, you&#x27;re out,&quot; he said.<br/> <br/>Remecilla said only a few trekkers were able to register since the announcement on Mt. Apo&#x27;s reopening and new regulations came late. </p><p>He added that an increase in the trekking fee, which reached as much as P500 for some trails, might have also discouraged mountaineers from joining the Lenten climb. </p><div><strong>FIRE&#x27;S AFTERMATH </strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/04/16/041617_trek2.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Fog surrounds a group of trekkers on their way to Mt. Apo&#x27;s peak. <cite>Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Last year&#x27;s forest fire was first suspected to have been caused by El Niño, but there were speculations that irresponsible climbers started the blaze which prompted a yearlong closure of the mountain. </p><p>Many Kidapawan residents and members of the Manobo tribe lost their livelihood during the closure, said Remecilla. </p><p>&quot;Kita mo naman ang number of porters na nandiyan, yung guides, yung habal-habal, modes of transportation, at kahit yung mga resorts and carenderia. Kung wala masyadong turista, apektado talaga sila. Even if you see and read the resolution [of Mt. Apo&#x27;s reopening], it is really moved and seconded by the datus, tribal leaders, kasi nafe-feel nila yung pressure ng kakulangan ng livelihood opportunities on the ground,&quot; he said. </p><p>Among those affected by the closure was Lake Venado camp manager Mildred Dacomos, who took part time jobs to recover her lost income. </p><p>&quot;From time na naging guide ako, marami akong mga client. Yun na yung sinusuporta ko sa mga estudyante ko. Noong nasara ang Mt. Apo, nagsa-sideline nalang po,&quot; she said.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/04/16/041617_trek6.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Trekkers smile on their way up the North Cotabato trail in Mount Apo. <cite>Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Fifty-five year old Saturnino Embud, a mountain porter for 15 years now, said he is thankful that he can now continue with his livelihood. He said he constantly reminds his clients about the regulations on Mt. Apo. </p><p>Mountain guide Regie Funa, meanwhile, criticized netizens and environmentalists who had opposed the reopening of Mt. Apo. </p><p>&quot;Hindi nila alam ang pamumuhay ng community sa ibaba kasi hindi naman nila ano yung pamumuhay at kinakain nila,&quot; Funa said. </p><p>But Chinkee Pelino-Golle, acting executive director of Interface Development Interventions Inc., an environmental non-government organization, said authorities should address the issue of poverty in the area, instead of just promoting eco-tourism. </p><p>&quot;I maintain my stance na huwag munang i-oopen nila ngayong Lenten season. They have to think twice kung i-open nila sa another period. Kasi wala pa tayong actual data ng damage ng forest fire. Wala tayong actual data sa recovery, so dapat continue pa rin ang rehabilitation,&quot; Golle added. <br/> <br/><strong>THE HIKE </strong></p><p>The Holy Week climb started with an orientation of mountaineers on Maundy Thursday. </p><p>Hikers then trekked across sulfur vents near Lake Agco resort and the farms of Manobo residents, crossed bamboo bridges over 6 rivers and passed through a rainforest, sometimes in harsh weather conditions. </p><p>On Day 1 of the climb, trekkers spent 8 hours to reach Lake Venado campsite. Mt. Apo&#x27;s summit is reflected on the waters of Venado, which is the second highest lake in the country. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/04/16/041617_trek3.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Trekkers take a rest at Camp Venado. <cite>Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Locals said deer and wild boar flocked to Venado campsite during the yearlong closure, leaving footprints in muddy areas. </p><p>The Lenten climbers started the trek&#x27;s Day 2 with a 3-hour journey to reach the summit. </p><p>&quot;Medyo mahirap, pero fulfilling naman kasi pag-akyat mo sa peak, masabi mo na ang ganda talaga ng creation ni God,&quot; said Micah Anthony, a participant in the Lenten Climb. </p><div><strong>REMINDERS OF A FIRE </strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/04/16/041617_trek4.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">New plants start to grow in place of burnt ones. <cite>Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Remecilla said most of the areas damaged by fire were on the Davao region side, with only a few hectares damaged on the mountain&#x27;s North Cotabato side. </p><p>Plants have started growing again in the affected areas, prompting authorities to close off these sections to mountaineers, said Dave Leydan, leader of a monitoring team of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/04/16/041617_trek5.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Posters remind mountaineers of new trek regulations. <cite>Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News </cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Near the mountain&#x27;s summit, wild berry and tinikaran saplings have also started to sprout beneath the dead and burnt trees. <br/> <br/>Meanwhile, the trails in Digos City, Sta. Cruz, and Bansalan in Davao del Sur province remain closed to tourists. </p><p>The Protected Area Management Board is set to release a report on the Mt. Apo Lenten climb. <strong>-- With reports from Ara Casas, ABS-CBN News </strong></p>

<p>The number of trekkers on Mt. Apo's North Cotabato trails dwindled this Holy Week, as authorities imposed stricter policies. </p><p> </p>

The number of trekkers on Mt. Apo's North Cotabato trails dwindled this Holy Week, as authorities imposed stricter policies.

Fewer trekkers brave Mt. Apo amid stricter policies

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Fewer trekkers brave Mt. Apo amid stricter policies

Hernel Tocmo,

ABS-CBN News Davao

Published April 16, 2017 01:36 PM PHT

Read More:

regions

Mount Apo

eco tourism

North Cotabato

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