Mount Apo
Mount Apo (Cebuano: Bukid Apo; Tagalog: Bundok Apo) is a large solfataric, potentially active
stratovolcano on the island of Mindanao, Philippines. With an elevation of 2,954 meters
(9,692 ft) above sea level, it is the highest mountain in the Philippine Archipelago and is located
between Davao City and Davao del Sur province in Region XI and Cotabato in Region XII. The
peak overlooks Davao City 45 kilometers (28 mi) to the northeast, Digos 25 kilometers (16 mi)
to the southeast, and Kidapawan 20 kilometers (12 mi) to the west.
The first two attempts to reach Mt. Apo's summit ended in failure: that of Jose Oyanguren (1852)
and Señor Real (1870). The first recorded successful expedition was led by Don Joaquin Rajal in
October 10, 1880. Prior to the climb, Rajal had to secure the permission of the Bagobo chieftain,
Datu Manig. It is said that the Datu demanded that human sacrifice be made to please the god
Mandarangan. But the datu agreed to waive this demand, and the climb commenced on October
6, 1880, succeeding five days later.[citation needed] Since then, numerous expeditions followed.
These and more are described in colorful narrations by Fr. Miguel Bernad, S.J.
On May 9, 1936, Mount Apo was declared as a national park by President Manuel L. Quezon.[7]
Mt. Apo is said to be named after a nobleman named Apong, who was killed while mediating the
battle between two suitors of his daughter Saribu. Apo in various local languages mean
"grandfather", "master", "grandson", and "wise elder"
Mount Apo Natural Park
On May 9, 1936, Mount Apo was declared a national park with Proclamation No. 59 by
President Manuel L. Quezon, followed by Proclamation No. 35 of May 8, 1966,[8] then
Proclamation No. 882 of September 24, 1996.[9][10] On February 3, 2004, the approval of
Republic Act No. 9237 established Mount Apo as a protected area under the category of natural
park with an area of 54,974.87 hectares (135,845.9 acres); with two peripheral areas of 2,571.73
hectares (6,354.9 acres) and 6,506.40 hectares (16,077.7 acres) as buffer zones, provided for its
management and for other purposes.[11][12]
Although a declared a Natural Park, the current climbing trails are littered with rubbish by
irresponsible climbers, opening paths for soil erosion across the already denuded mountain sides.
Some mountain and social climbing groups conduct climbs after the Holy Week/Easter, the peak
climbing season, to clean the affected areas
UNESCO World Heritage list
In 1987, the National Geographic Society based in Washington, DC in the United States,
published a book entitled, "Our World's Heritage", where Mount Apo was noted as a 'site of
Word Heritage caliber'.[13] The cover of the book also featured Mount Apo's iconic Philippine
eagle, along with three other heritage sites which have already been designated as "UNESCO
World Heritage Sites".[14]
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) submitted Mount Apo on
December 12, 2009 for inclusion in the UNESCO world heritage list. The mountain is
considered by DENR as the center of endemism in Mindanao. It has one of the highest land-
based biological diversity in terms of flora and fauna per unit area. It has three distinct forest
formations, from lowland tropical rainforest, to mid-mountain forests, and finally to high
mountain forests.[3]
A portion of the eastern slopes are also within the scope of the UNESCO Hydrology
Environment Life and Policy (HELP) Network. The Davao HELP Network is focused on
building collaboration among watershed stakeholders.
In March 2015, it was taken out from the UNESCO List of Tentative Sites due to the dramatic
changes (such as logging, intrusion of companies and urban and agricultural landscape,
exploitation, and poaching, among others) it experienced which does not constitute the UNESCO
documents that describes the park. Better conservation and a change in the content of documents
was recommended by UNESCO.
Climate
Mt. Apo generally enjoys tropical rainy climate. It falls under the Type IV climate under the
modified corona's classification wherein rainfall is relatively distributed throughout the year.
Mean monthly temperature ranges from a low 26.4 °C (79.5 °F) during January to 27.9 °C
(82.2 °F) during April. Monthly relative humidity ranges from 78% during March and April and
82% during June and July. It reaches −6 Celsius in February and January
In late March–April 2016, due to the extreme effects of El Niño caused by climate change and
global warming, massive patches of forest fires and bushfires appeared on the slopes of the
mountain, causing hikers on the mountain to halt their ascent. Tourism in the region was
threatened due to a massive haze engulfing the slopes of the mountain. The mountain later
recovered after the government and local stakeholders initiated a holistic recovery plan for the
entire national park.[15]
Flora and fauna
The mountain is home to over 272 bird species, 111 of which are endemic to the area. It is also
home to one of the world's largest eagles, the critically endangered Philippine eagle, which is the
country's national bird.[16]
Bodies of water
Lakes
There are four major lakes in Mt. Apo . Popular of these are Lake Agco, used to be called "The
Blue Lake" and Lake Venado, a well-known mountaineers camping site and a stopover towards
the peak. Lake Macadac and Lake Jordan are found in the summit grassland.
Rivers
Mt. Apo has 19 major rivers and 21 creeks draining its 8 major watersheds (PASAlist.1992). Out
of the 19 major rivers, only two has studies as reported by SEA-BMB consultants for the Mt.
Apo Geothermal Project Environmental Impact Assessment 1991. According to the report, there
are two river ecosystems draining the geothermal site namely: (1) Marbel-Matingao river
ecosystem- characterized by narrower river channels at highly elevated areas, much faster water
flow, clearer water and rock boulder-rich water beds. The aquatic organisms in the area have
expectedly lower biological productivity and species diversity. The report also concluded that
this river ecosystem provides much less economic and commercial value for its biological
production. The study identified 12 species of fish caught in the area; (2) Kabacan River- Pulangi
River ecosystem- characterized by a much wider channels at flat areas, relatively much slower
water flow, highly turbid waters and sandy mud river beds.
Waterfalls
The Tudaya Falls Davao del Sur, in Mindanao in the Philippines. At 100 metres, it is the tallest
waterfall in Mt. Apo Natural Park. This waterfall flows into the Sibulan River, which flows to
the Davao Gulf.
Biological features
The grasslands are characterized by the dominance of Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica) and Saccharum
spontaneum. Other grasses and ferns also thrive, especially along banks of creeks, streams, and rivers
and on steep slopes.
