This is a climb conducted on March 19-22 using the Sibulan, Sta. Cruz trail traversing Site G of Energy Development Corporation (EDC) in Illomavis, Kidapawan City, site of a geothermal power project. The EDC trail has been utilized by VIPs in scaling the summit of Mt. Apo because it is the shortest and most friendly trail, but it is not open for regular trekking program because it is within a private property and strict measures are being implemented by EDC authorities.
As part of the initial milestones in a long-term effort to apply Mt. Apo into UNESCO’s Global Geological Park, this climb was spearheaded by Bagani Fidel Evasco, Regional Executive Director of Department of Environment and Natural Resources XI (DENR), the lead agency facilitating the preparation for this application proposal. The purpose was to establish geologic baseline information which will be crucial to the application effort. Geologists from Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) were part of the expedition to particularly dissect Mt. Apo’s geologic features to include the boulders, white sand and sulfur vents.
UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. Their bottom-up approach of combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities is becoming increasingly popular. At present, there are 169 UNESCO Geoparks in 44 countries, and we intend to make the count 170 by including the Philippines’ highest peak into the list.
I am personally in favor of this initiative not only for tourism reasons but in a much better perspective this will heighten every stakeholder’s effort towards Mt. Apo conservation, protection and rehabilitation. Once UNESCO pastes a seal in this mountain a lot more serious things will be in a good stance, hopefully, and that more respect will be accorded onward to making Mt. Apo great again. That is a serious item I am praying right now.
The entire climb was graced with hostile weather. As usual, Sta. Cruz trail offers spectacular wildlife with presence of the rare Mindanao Jungle Flycatcher in between Bugha-anan and Big Rock e-camp around 1900 MASL. The earlier part of the day also saw Olive-capped Flowerpecker, Black and Cinnamon Fantail, Elegant Tit, Sulphur-billed Nuthatch, Island Thrush, Mindanao White Eye, Cinnamon Ibon and Turquoise Flycatcher. Over at the other side in Ma-ag satellite Nursery several White-checked Bullfinch appeared together with some moulting Mountain Leaf Warblers. Apo Myna, a flagship bird of EDC and Kidapawan City Tourism, came out after a Day 3 downpour 1 kilometer before reaching Site G. This bird record somehow is a good consolation after failing to join the session of my Big Year Davao team in Mt. Karilongan last March 21 during the celebration of International Day of the Forest.
Meanwhile, Ma-ag Satellite Nursery belongs to the municipality of Makilala and what better way to seize the time was to take a side trip off Lake Jordan with RED Bagani. Lake Jordan is another body of water within MANP that is now considered the largest lake here because Lake Venado never returned to its previous state. I also learned that Lake Jordan is a detour site for Bansalan Trail trekkers and few meters from the lake lies Camp Reyes, Bansalan’s only holding campsite. Lake Zion, a dominant hill in Makilala, is a good backdraft of Lake Jordan. After 15 long years I also got a glimpse of Lake Ma-ag. We used to call this Lake Macadac before surrounded with the native Tinikaran Trees of EDC’s reforestation project in North Cotabato area.
Amidst some negative posture of Mt. Apo nowadays finally we are able to find ways to position this mountain to be world class sooner than later. The application to UNESCO Global Geoparks, I presume, will eventually turn things around for Mt. Apo.
P.S. I would like to thank 3 LOGSAC buddies who accompanied me during this climb namely: Jose Froilan Miagao, Lito Roque and John Drick Gavilan. It was the first time I camped out in the summit with a very strong wind and a chilling temperature of 9 degrees Celcius.