The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-Davao) has officially announced the start of the off-season closure for Mt. Apo Natural Park (MANP) beginning June 4, 2024. This closure prohibits all trekking and camping activities on open trails in the Davao Region and Soccsksargen. The seasonal closure, mandated by MANP-PAMB Resolution No. 06 (2021), aims to allow the mountain to recover naturally and enable wildlife to roam freely without human disturbance.
This off-season is essential for protecting ecosystems and conserving watersheds, especially as Mt. Apo seeks UNESCO Global Geopark designation. In support of this initiative, the Davao City Council has previously declared Mt. Apo a geological monument to strengthen its bid for global heritage status.
Additionally, the DENR has extended a prior suspension of trekking from March 20 to April 30, 2024, due to the dry spell caused by El Niño. Mountaineers and trekkers are advised to coordinate with organizers to reschedule their excursions, as the park is expected to reopen in September.