MT. APO NATURAL PARK. Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Davao Region Director Bagani Fidel Evasco (with mic) leads the discussion on the management and conservation of the Mt. Apo Natural Park UNESCO Global Geopark conscription process on Friday (May 26, 2023). Strategies for improved collaborative management were tackled during the meeting. (Photo courtesy of DENR-11)
DAVAO CITY – The regional offices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Davao (DENR-11) and Soccsksargen (DENR-12) have joined hands for the management and conservation of the Mt. Apo Natural Park (MANP) UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGP) conscription process.
In a Facebook post Monday, Directors Bagani Fidel Evasco of DENR-11 and Felix Alicer of DENR-12 shared their initial discussions last week, outlining the strategies to enhance the management of the protected area.
"With what we have discussed, we ensure that it’s all aligned with the goals, mandates, and direction of the agency," Evasco said.
Mt. Apo, with a total land area of about 64,000 hectares, is one of the most popular nature-based tourism sites for being the country’s highest peak with an elevation of 2,956 meters.
MANP was declared a protected area under Republic Act No. 9237 in 2003. It is included in the United Nations list of national parks and acknowledged as an ASEAN heritage site.
It spans Regions 11 and 12, covering three cities, four municipalities, and 44 villages.
A key biodiversity area, MANP is home to over 272 bird species, 111 of which are endemic. The natural park also houses one of the world’s largest eagles, the critically endangered Philippine eagle.
Both agencies presented updates on the proposed establishment of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) base camp within MANP which is set to be launched in July.
A memorandum of agreement was also presented which stipulates the establishment of regular coordination meetings between both regions, the creation of a joint technical working committee, and resource mobilization. (PNA)
