Davao City, October 24, 2024 — In the 40th Regular Session of Davao City’s 20th City Council on Tuesday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 11 reasserted that the trekking site in Barangay Tagurano within Mt. Apo Natural Park is strictly off-limits for recreational activities. Ma. Mercedes V. Dumagan, DENR 11 Executive Director, clarified that the 18.8-hectare area is part of the Strict Protection Zone (SPZ) and is designated exclusively for indigenous cultural activities and research.
The announcement followed a privilege speech by Councilor Temujin “Tek” Ocampo, Chair of the City Council’s Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources, expressing concern about unauthorized activities in Tagurano despite prior cease-and-desist orders from the DENR. Ocampo emphasized the importance of adhering to strict environmental regulations, noting that any future eco-tourism initiatives would require DENR approval to reclassify parts of the area as a Multiple Use Zone (MUZ). Currently, there are no MUZ-designated areas in Barangay Tagurano.
Dumagan reaffirmed that the SPZ designation prohibits activities such as trekking, stressing that violations are punishable under Republic Act No. 9237 (Mt. Apo Protected Area Act of 2003) and DENR Administrative Order No. 2010-03. Penalties range from fines of P5,000 to P100,000 and imprisonment of up to six years, with harsher penalties of up to P500,000 under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) Act for severe violations.
The issue gained further attention after Councilor Bernie Al-ag and his wife were seen trekking in the restricted area earlier this month, with photos of their visit briefly posted on social media, sparking public criticism. While Al-ag explained that his visit was aimed at providing services to residents affected by the area’s closure, Barangay Captain Danilo Camarillo, a member of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), expressed frustration, noting that Al-ag did not coordinate his visit with local authorities.
In response, Al-ag argued that the SPZ regulations primarily pertain to business establishments, not trekking routes, and pointed out that the road to the site begins on private property. His stance, however, has raised questions about his understanding of environmental regulations.
Dumagan explained that Mt. Apo’s protection policies seek to balance biodiversity conservation with sustainable development, adhering to the goals of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Law. Mt. Apo is divided into SPZ and MUZ areas, where the SPZ restricts most human activities except for scientific research and indigenous rituals, while the MUZ supports limited, regulated economic activities, such as ecotourism, in certain areas.
Dumagan also underscored the need for a comprehensive biodiversity assessment before any zoning changes, in line with BMB Technical Bulletin No. 2018-01. “The protected areas in the Philippines, including Mt. Apo, are a national heritage and a shared responsibility. We must conserve these areas for future generations, especially critical habitats for iconic species such as the Philippine Eagle and essential watershed areas supplying Davao’s clean water,” she said.
As Davao residents await updates on potential eco-tourism plans, DENR’s reaffirmation of the SPZ status underscores the city’s commitment to preserving Mt. Apo’s ecological integrity. The agency is now calling on the public and city officials alike to respect protected area policies, emphasizing that environmental conservation is a responsibility shared by all Dabawenyos and Filipinos.
