Mt. Apo trail map now available for free

Climbers and tourists should not be disappointed with the temporary closure of Mt. Apo to tourists during the Holy Week because there are other things to see and do as shown by the new Mt. Apo Trail Map.

“The closure of Mt. Apo need not mean you can’t enjoy its other attractions,” Department of Tourism XI director Sonia Garcia said. The DOT, which is in the forefront of the Mt. Apo clean-up, discovered that Lake Venado was in dire need of a major clean-up, thus the decision to close the mountain to climbers temporarily.

Garcia said Mt. Apo is not only the highest peak in the Philippines at 9,692 feet but it is also a destination that is truly Holy. She said visitors can get more information about the mountain and its attractions by getting the free Mt. Apo Trail map from their office.

You can reach Davao City, where Mt. Apo is located, by land through the Philtranco Bus from Pasay City in Manila, by sea through SuperFerry or by air through any of the airlines which can charge from P2,000 to P7,000 for a one way ticket. Proceed to Kapatagan in Davao del Sure by bus or private car, and register at the site for P500 per climber.

Those who simply want to spend some quiet time during the Holy Week can visit Forest Springs, a mountain resort located in Kapatagan, Davao del Sur which is one of the jump-off point when climbing Mt. Apo. The resort offers mountain cabins good for up to five persons, with bathing facilities and kitchen. The resort has a campsite and picnic area.

Kapatagan is also the location of Bahay ni Kublai which overlooks the mountain. This is another masterpiece from Kublai, a Davao-based sculptor and artists who designed the very notable giant sculptures at the Davao International Airport and the Davao City People’s Park.

And while you’re in Kapatagan, you can also visit Camp Sabros which does not only provide a breath-taking view of the mountain, but also offers one of the longest zip lines in the country at 400 meters.

Garcia said those who are interested to know more about culture can visit the Kalimudan Bagobo Cultural Village in barangay Tibolo, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, just at the foot of Mt. Apo. The Cultural Village provides a majestic view with an elevation of 2,000 meters above sea level.

“We are also proud of the Boulders of Mt. Apo which is another exhilarating feature of the mountain,” she said.

Mt. Apo, Mt. Hamiguitan Nominated As World Heritage Sites

Mindanao might yet have two of its natural attractions listed in the World Heritage Site if it meets the criteria set by the International Council on Monuments and Sites and the World Conservation Union.

The said mountains are located in the provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, the city of Davao and North Cotabato.

Aside from being Mindanao's highest peek, it is also a sanctuary of endangered and threatened biological species including the Philippine Eagle or Pithecophaga jefferyl which is known as the World's second largest eagle; the Almaciga or Agathis philippinensis and the Lauan or Shorea palita. Mt. Apo is also home to three indigenous communities namely the Bagobos, Manobos and the Klatas.

Mt. Hamiguitan, on the other hand, is situated in a biogeographic region in Mindanao with high units of flora and fauna including the remaining blocks of Philippine dipterocarp forests where the Philippine Eagle nests and where over 878 species of plans mostly angiosperms exist.

Only sites that have been included in the country's Tentative List can be nominated to the World Heritage List and only those that meet at least one of the 10 selection criteria can be included in the list.

Among the sites included in the World Heritage List are the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, the Tubbataha Reef Marine ark, the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, Historic Town of Vigan and Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

"This will be an opportunity for Mindanao to be identified as a Heritage Site," said Councilor Leo Avila. He said they have been given until December this year to provide the necessary information to UNESCO to support the nomination of Mt. Apo and Mt. Hamiguitan.

Avila, who solicited the support of Mindanaoans who can contribute any significant information that can help the bid to include the sites in the World Heritage List, said it is imperative to curb the uncontrolled trekking of tourists in Mt. Apo because it endangers the site.(thanks to Tacurong Mountaineers for the Mt. Apo photo)