In celebration of Environment Month, the Mt. Apo Natural Park Protected Area Management Office (MANP PAMO) Cotabato took part in two major environmental activities held in Kidapawan City on June 5, 2025, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to environmental protection and youth engagement.
One of the events was a river clean-up and tree-planting activity organized by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) – Eastern Mindanao, Cotabato Region, held along Mook River in Barangay Balabag. The initiative aimed to raise awareness and deepen the environmental consciousness of youth participants and volunteers. A total of 70 Philippine Maple Tree seedlings were planted to support forest restoration in the area. Additionally, around 15 kilograms of waste were collected during the clean-up drive to reduce water pollution and safeguard local aquatic resources.
On the same day, MANP PAMO also joined a simultaneous tree-planting activity spearheaded by the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) at Sitio Nabunturan, Barangay Ilomavis. The initiative prioritized the planting of approximately 250 seedlings of endemic and threatened native tree species such as Syzygium apoense, Cryptocarya todayensis, almaciga, and tinikaran—species recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered.
The Ilomavis event brought together various groups, including the Manobo Apao Descendants of Mount Apo (MADADMA), the Barangay Ilomavis Tribal Council, the local barangay government, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), EDC contractors, the Kidapawan City Tourism Office, CENRO Matalam, and PENRO Cotabato.
Both activities reflect the ongoing efforts of MANP PAMO and its partners to preserve the ecological integrity of Mt. Apo and surrounding areas. These collective actions not only foster stronger inter-agency collaboration but also nurture environmentally responsible citizens, particularly among the youth.