The Central Mindanao University’s CEBREM, with partners from UP Los Baños, the National Museum, DORSU, and DSSC, has begun its Mt. Apo Natural Park leg of a DOST‑funded biodiversity project. Through a community presentation in Binaton, Digos City, the initiative gained strong support from Indigenous leaders, particularly the Unified Bagobo Tagabawa, marking a milestone in collaborative research that respects cultural heritage while advancing ecological goals.
Fieldwork along the Colan–Sta. Cruz trail culminated in May 2022, producing vital data for Mt. Apo’s conservation programs and strengthening its bid for UNESCO Global Geopark recognition. This partnership not only enriches knowledge of Mindanao’s mountain ecosystems but also underscores the importance of science, community consent, and sustainable stewardship in protecting the country’s natural heritage.