The Municipality of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, has pledged its full support for the campaign to have Mt. Apo recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark. This initiative involves collaboration with other local government units and institutions to strengthen the bid. Officials in Sta. Cruz highlights the mountain’s remarkable geological features—such as its boulder face, sulfur vents, lakes, and crater—along with its rich biodiversity, which includes the critically endangered Philippine Eagle, as reasons Mt. Apo deserves global recognition.
Mt. Apo was first proposed for UNESCO World Heritage status in 2009 but was removed from the tentative list in 2015 due to environmental threats, including illegal logging and poaching. Efforts to renew this bid began in 2021, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and supported by local government units, including Sta. Cruz. In addition to formal documents and ordinances, Sta. Cruz is also promoting eco-tourism activities, such as controlled mountaineering events, to raise awareness and encourage stewardship of the area. For local leaders, obtaining UNESCO designation is not just about prestige; it is also about safeguarding Mt. Apo’s ecological and cultural legacy, ensuring that future generations inherit a vibrant and resilient mountain.