Mount Apo closed until Aug 31 for recovery

The Philippines' Mount Apo, known as the 'King of Mountains,' is closed to the public until August 31.

This annual three-month closure from June 1 to August 31 was initiated in 2022 by the Mt. Apo Natural Park-Protected Area Management Board (MANP-PAMB) to allow the mountain and its wildlife to recover, as mandated by MANP-PAMB En Banc Resolution No. 06, series of 2021.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) cited improper sanitation, waste disposal, and vandalism as reasons for the closure, noting that it is crucial for preserving the park's biodiversity and cultural significance.

Mercedes Dumagan, DENR regional executive director, emphasized that this break helps protect Mount Apo’s unique eco-diversity and supports efforts to declare it a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Local governments in both Cotabato province and Davao region are working on regulations and environmental awareness campaigns to better conserve the park, including obtaining Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) from indigenous communities.