Renaming of Mt. Manunggal pushed

CEBU, Philippines - Alcover says Manunggal, sounding like “manananggal,” has no historic significance Rep. Pastor Alcover Jr. is pushing to rename Mt. Manunggal in Balamban, Cebu to Mount Magsaysay in honor of the late President Ramon Magsaysay.

Alcover of the Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD) partylist, said he already talked to members of the Magsaysay family who are also lawmakers in Congress.

 He said that they are supporting his move to change the name of Mt. Manunggal.

Rep. Pablo John Garcia of the third district of Cebu where Balamban town belongs will be co-sponsoring the move, said Alcover.

Alcover explained that Mt. Manunggal is a tourist attraction in Cebu but it connotes a bad word which is like “manananggal” or witch.

 There is “no historic significance” in the place’s current name, he said.

Once approved, Alcover said that ANAD will adopt the place and spend for its environmental protection.

Mt. Manunggal is located in Barangay Magsaysay, Balamban, and rises to a height of 1,003 meters above sea level.

It is the crash site of the presidential plane Pinatubo that carried and killed President Ramon Magsaysay and seventeen of his presidential staff and some news correspondents.

The crash was in March 17, 1957 and an annual trek is held to commemorate his death.

It is accessible through many trails but the trail from Tagba-o and Cantipla in Tabunan, Cebu City is the main route from which the yearly Pres. Ramon Magsaysay Death Anniversary Climb is held.

Mt. Manunggal is within the enclave of the Central Cebu National Park and is protected by Republic Act 8457, otherwise known as the “Central Cebu Protected Landscape Act”; which also covers the Mananga-Kotkot-Lusaran river system, the Sudlon National Park and the watersheds of Buhisan, Mananga and Lusaran.

The trail to Mt. Manunggal from the jump-off point at the river that separates Cebu City from Balamban is quite steep and could be achieved in about four to seven hours for first-timers, and about two to three hours for those familiar with its terrain.

The trail to Mt. Manunggal from Tagba-o is absent of forest canopies and wildlife and traverses through many upland farms planted with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, eggplants, cabbage, carrots, etc. It is wide enough to let two persons pass by each other at its narrowest part and there are no prominent barriers which impede movement, save for the lack of shady areas to rest from the penetrating heat of the sun.

Water sources abound within the foot of the mountain like rivers, springs and waterfalls and a cool spring near the camping site give visitors a respite from thirst which never falters in water volume even in extreme drought. (FREEMAN)