DENR extends Mt. Banahaw's closure to trekkers

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has extended the closure of some parts of Mount Banahaw for another three years.              

DENR-Calabarzon officer-in-charge Reynulfo Juan, concurrent chairman of the Protected Areas and Management Board of the Mounts Banahaw and San Cristobal protected landscape said PAMB passed a resolution extending the closure last Feb. 16.

An earlier resolution banning entry into some parts of the protected area lapsed last Jan. 29.

Lope Calanog, head of a research team that conducted a comprehensive and diagnostic assessment of Mt. Banahaw, recommended the extension of the closure order after finding the mountain “highly susceptible to landslide, erosion and flash flood.”

The research team also found “observable disturbance” of the biodiversity and that areas for worship, parking and bathing at the camping area had been exceeded.

Calanog’s team also recommended the formulation and implementation of a “visitor management scheme” that would impose a regulated or “direct limit” of visitors.

Off limits to trekkers are the approach to Kristalino Falls to Dungaw, Tatlong Tangke and Kinabuhayan on the Dolores side; and parts of Barangays Bugon, Concepcion Pinagbakuran and Concepcion Banahaw on the Sariaya side.                     Meanwhile, Randy Matibag, environment officer of Dolores town said they would set up a command post in the area during Holy Week.

A team of volunteer mountaineers will also help control movement of pilgrims and visitors and prevent “slipping” into the restricted areas.