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Protected Area Management Board

Mt. Apo closed to climbers until Aug. 31

by Nova Mae Francas June 1, 2026

written by Nova Mae Francas

THE MT. Apo Natural Park (MANP) will have an off-season, which prohibits trekking and camping activities on all open trails in the area from June 1 to Aug. 31.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources XI announced on Monday, June 1, that the closure will be simultaneously enforced in Davao Region and Soccsksargen to ensure the rehabilitation, disaster prevention, and biodiversity preservation, protection, and development of Mt. Apo.

“All trekking and camping activities are hereby prohibited until closure is lifted,” DENR XI said in a statement.

These include access trails to MANP from Kidapawan City and the towns of Makilala and Magpet of Cotabato province, Digos City, Bansalan, and Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur.

The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), the highest policy-making body in Mt. Apo, started to implement the yearly “off-season,” pursuant to PAMB En Banc Resolution No. 08, series of 2021.

The off-season aims to give Mt. Apo a time to breathe and, likewise, allow wildlife species to enjoy their habitat without disturbance.

Trekking activities will resume on Sept. 1, 2025.

MANP covers a total land area of 64,000 hectares, spanning the provinces of Cotabato in Region XII and Davao del Sur and Davao City in Region XI.

It is the highest mountain in the country with an altitude of 2,954 meters above sea level.

MANP was declared a protected area and a component of the National Protected Areas System under Republic Act 9237 in 2003.

To note, DENR XI and XII jointly conducted a simulation activity on April 30 in preparation for the upcoming assessment of Mt. Apo as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

“MANP’s strong integration of geological, biological, and cultural values aligns with UNESCO’s holistic geopark framework and is further reinforced by the support of local government units, Indigenous Peoples (IP) leaders, and barangay stakeholders,” DENR Soccsksargen said.

The official validation is set in August 2026, when UNESCO Global Geopark evaluators will visit Regions XI and XII, covering the Mt. Apo Natural Park.

MindaNews photo

June 1, 2026 0 comments

Environment

Juvenile South PH Hawk Eagle spotted in Burauen, Leyte

by Nova Mae Francas May 18, 2026

written by Nova Mae Francas

A JUVENILE South Philippine Hawk Eagle was sighted less than 15 meters away from its platform nest perched in a Tega tree in Brgy Mahagnao, Burauen, Leyte, during the media documentation activity on May 18.

Tristan Senarillos, Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) biologist, said the juvenile’s first maiden flight was documented on Sunday, May 17, by the PEF and forest guards of Mahagnao.

The parents of the 11-week-old hawk eagle were documented building a nest in November 2025, accidentally, while monitoring Lakpue, a male Philippine eagle.

Since then PEF strengthened its surveillance and started daily nest observation on January 21, 2026 to capture the movements and breeding behavior of the pair.

“It took 41 days of daily observation to record incubation until it hatched on March 2, 2026,” he said.

This is the first documented active pair in Eastern Visayas and first documented Hawk eagle family full breeding season.

The area where the nest is found is outside the protected area of Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park.

The Protected Area Management Board passed four resolutions to protect the nest site, including the species as part of priority species for long time monitoring, capacity building of stakeholders to increase the pool of people, and a public naming ceremony set during Eagle Week in June.

The South Philippine Hawk Eagle is categorized an endangered species under DAO 2019-09.

Pending the inclusion of the area to the protected area, the PEF, along with local environment officers, displayed wildlife protection notices around the nesting site in English and in local language Waray to enhance protection of the endangered species.

Senarillos said at present, PEF has no information about the territory size of the pair, but recent efforts include trapping and tagging at least one adult and the juvenile to closely monitor their distance from the natal site.

Preparation for the species conservation plan for the raptor is underway.

Photo of the juvenile hawk eagle: Philippine Eagle Foundation

May 18, 2026 0 comments

News

Lake Holon to temporarily close on Jan 3 until March for ecosystem recovery

by Nova Mae Francas December 30, 2025

written by Nova Mae Francas

ECOTOURISM destination, Lake Holon, will be temporarily closed to trekkers and visitors starting Jan. 3, 2026, until March, DENR Soccsksargen announced Monday.

The announcement came on the heels of the Municipal Executive Order No. 63 issued by Tboli, South Cotabato, recommending the “Temporary Closure of Lake Holon to Local and International Visitors.”

“The closure, which is practiced annually, is an essential conservation measure aimed at protecting the lake’s biodiversity, preserving water quality, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Lake Holon as a natural and cultural heritage site,” it said.

“Limiting human activity during this period helps maintain the ecological balance of the area and supports responsible ecotourism practices,” it added.

Lake Holon is within the Allah Valley Protected Landscape, and is governed by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).

DENR Soccsksargen added that LGU T’boli is currently in the process of its application for a Special Use Agreement in Protected Area (SAPA).

The agency said the closure is within the bounds of national environmental laws and sustainable protected area management principles, including the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) framework.

Councilor Kirk Tuan, municipal committee chairman on Tourism, announced the closure will give way for ecosystem recovery, environmental protection, and restoration of the lake to its natural state.

“The purpose of this closure is to provide the ecosystem of Lake Holon sufficient time to ‘breathe,” regenerate, and recover from the effects of continuous human activity, thereby ensuring its long-term sustainability and preservation for-future generations,” Tuan said.

The lake is targeted to reopen before the commencement of the Seslong Festival in March 2026.

“Your cooperation and understanding are highly appreciated as we work together to protect and preserve Lake Holon, the Crown Jewel of the South,” Tuan stressed.

December 30, 2025 0 comments