Mt. Banahaw still closed to trekkers — DENR

MANILA, Philippines — Mt. Banahaw remains closed to trekkers and pilgrims, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has reminded the public.

“After 15 years of restricted access to the public, the Mt. Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape has shown signs of improvement, but has not yet fully recovered... Certain areas... that were set by the park’s management board as these fall within the strict protection zone will continue to be closed,” Maria Paz Luna, DENR-Calabarzon regional executive director, said.

She said the closure order would remain in effect until concerned local officials are “fully prepared, trained and ready to handle visitors, able to implement the carrying capacity of frequently visited areas and capable to handle disaster risk reduction management and trail hazard assessment.”

Park superintendent Sally Pangan said representatives of various mountaineering groups volunteered to help prevent visitors from “slipping” into restricted areas of Mt. Banahaw this Holy Week.