The Municipality of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, has expressed its full support for Mt. Apo’s bid to be recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark. This initiative has garnered backing from various local government units and institutions to strengthen the campaign. Officials from Sta. Cruz emphasized that Mt. Apo’s unique geological features—such as its iconic boulder face, sulfur vents, lakes, and crater—make it a strong candidate for global recognition.
The push for UNESCO status is not new. Mt. Apo was first proposed for this recognition in 2009, but was removed from the tentative list in 2015 due to challenges such as illegal logging, poaching, and land intrusion. Renewed efforts to gain UNESCO status began in 2021, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), with local government units like Sta. Cruz is providing essential supporting documents and advocacy. In 2024, Davao City further strengthened the campaign by passing an ordinance declaring Mt. Apo a geological monument.
Sta. Cruz is also supporting awareness activities, including a controlled mountaineering event organized by the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines. For local leaders, the UNESCO bid is not merely about prestige; it is about preserving Mt. Apo’s ecological and cultural legacy, promoting sustainable tourism, and ensuring that future generations inherit a mountain that is as vibrant and resilient as it is today.