During the season of lent, mountain climbing to Mount Apo (the highest mountain peak in the Philippines) has been the favorite destination for both local and foreign tourists. But local authorities had to close the annual event, simply because contingent of tourists has caused irreparable damage to the environment. Rare plant, particularly wild orchids has been documented to be spirited to Manila, while a lot of trash has piled along the route.
For five long years the Mount Apo has been allowed to rejuvenate, nobody was allowed on top. Then just last month, our company was asked to be one of the few to scale the peak once again, not as tourists but as part of the group that will restore the damaged ecology.
We booked a flight to Davao City and then took a van to Kidapawan, the jump off point for our trek to the famed mountain. At the foot, we carried not just provisions, but also 12, 24inch tree mahogany seedlings and trash bags. The idea is at designated areas we are to plant each the 12 plants to help in the reforestation efforts of Mount Apo.
It took us three days to reach the peak, and as customary we planted the
custom flag of the company and posed for posterity. The view from the top of the Apo was really magnificent and the temperature was refreshingly cold, but pales in comparison to my winters in New York.
Then we started back, but we have to pick whatever trash has been left behind, because each one of us will be made to pay a fine of a few hundred pesos if we cannot present a bagful of garbage to the local control officers.
by:
The Flagman
