Kidapawan City, Philippines — The Mount Apo Natural Park (MANP), home to the country’s highest peak, marked its 22nd year as a legislated protected area on February 3, 2026, with large-scale environmental activities highlighting collective action, ecological restoration, and Indigenous stewardship.
The commemoration honored Republic Act No. 9237, or the Mt. Apo Protected Area Act of 2003, a landmark law that institutionalized the protection of Mt. Apo—known to Indigenous communities as Apo Sandawa—as a national sanctuary for biodiversity and cultural heritage.
The anniversary brought together a broad alliance of stakeholders, including the Local Government Units of Makilala and Magpet, Energy Development Corporation (EDC), Manobo Apao Descendants Ancestral Domain of Mt. Apo (MADADMA), the 512th Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army, DENR–PENRO Cotabato, and PACBRMA holders from Ilomavis, Balabag, and Perez in Kidapawan City.
Reforesting Earthquake-Affected Areas
A major highlight of the celebration was a tree-growing activity along the Mandangan Trail, where participants planted 250 seedlings of native and endemic species, including Casuarina equisetifolia (Agoho), Syzygium apoense (Magatungal), Dacrycarpus imbricatus (Igem), and Mastixia species (Kalisow).
The activity aimed to rehabilitate forest sections damaged by the 2019 earthquake, restoring vegetation cover and strengthening the mountain’s resilience against erosion and climate-related threats.
Deputy Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) Mary Eve Nachon said the initiative symbolizes renewal and responsibility.
“The tree-growing activity represents new life and renewed hope for greener and healthier slopes of Mount Apo. It reflects our shared commitment to protect this vital ecosystem that continues to sustain our communities,” Nachon said.
Fighting Pollution Through Collective Action
Complementing the reforestation effort, volunteers conducted a simultaneous clean-up drive within PACBRMA-managed zones and along the road from the Mandangan Monitoring Station to the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) in Kidapawan City.
The operation collected 564.7 kilograms of waste, including plastics, glass bottles, cans, cellophane, sanitary waste, and other debris—highlighting the growing threat of pollution to protected landscapes.
Nachon stressed that waste management is critical to maintaining the park’s ecological balance.
“Protecting Mt. Apo’s delicate ecosystem ensures that present and future generations continue to benefit from its ecosystem services,” she said.
Strengthening Indigenous Stewardship
In a parallel commemoration, the DENR Region XI’s Protected Area Management Office spearheaded another tree-growing activity in Barangay Binaton, Digos City, Davao del Sur, in partnership with the Unified Bagobo Tagabawa Indigenous Cultural Community.
PAMO personnel and Indigenous leaders planted 100 native and fruit-bearing trees, including Nato, Narra, and Durian, underscoring the central role of Indigenous Peoples in safeguarding the mountain’s forests.
The activity reaffirmed the importance of ancestral domain governance and traditional ecological knowledge in conservation efforts.
A Mountain of National and Global Significance
Rising 2,954 meters above sea level and covering 54,974.47 hectares across Davao del Sur, Cotabato, and Davao City, Mt. Apo was first declared a national park in 1936 through Presidential Proclamation No. 59.
Its diverse ecosystems—from mossy forests to volcanic landscapes—harbor countless endemic species and continue to attract scientists, hikers, and conservationists from around the world.
Today, Mt. Apo is also being considered for recognition as a UNESCO Global Geopark, reflecting its tectonic, geological, and ecological significance on a global scale.
Sustaining Protection for Future Generations
Signed into law in 2004 under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Republic Act No. 9237 remains the backbone of Mt. Apo’s protection framework, regulating resource use, promoting community participation, and strengthening enforcement against environmental threats.
As Mount Apo marks more than two decades of formal protection, stakeholders emphasized that sustained cooperation among government agencies, Indigenous communities, civil society, and the private sector is essential to preserving the mountain’s legacy.
Through reforestation, waste management, and inclusive governance, the 22nd anniversary celebration reaffirmed Mt. Apo’s enduring role as a symbol of environmental resilience, cultural identity, and national pride.