(Photo courtesy : PIA)
DAVAO CITY — The Municipality of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur has reaffirmed its strong backing for the campaign to have Mt. Apo recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark, citing the mountain’s outstanding geological features and its potential to strengthen conservation and sustainable tourism in Mindanao.
Sta. Cruz is among the local government units whose jurisdictions form part of Mt. Apo National Park, the country’s highest peak and one of its most ecologically significant landscapes. Local officials said the push for UNESCO recognition is anchored on the mountain’s unique geological formations and the growing collaboration among national agencies and surrounding LGUs.
UNESCO Global Geoparks, as defined by UNESCO, are unified geographical areas that feature sites of international geological importance, managed through integrated efforts in protection, education, and sustainable development.
At present, the Philippines has only one site included in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network: Bohol Island, known globally for its distinctive karst formations, including the Chocolate Hills. Sta. Cruz Municipal Tourism Officer Julius Paner said Mt. Apo has strong potential to become the country’s second geopark.
Paner pointed to the massive boulder face within Sta. Cruz’s territory as one of Mt. Apo’s most striking geological features. He added that the mountain also hosts sulfur vents, crater lakes, and other formations that highlight its scientific and educational value.
Efforts to secure UNESCO Geopark status for Mt. Apo have spanned more than a decade. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources renewed the application process in 2021, building on earlier submissions that emphasized the mountain’s biodiversity and endemism. Mt. Apo was previously removed from UNESCO’s tentative list in 2015 following concerns over illegal logging, wildlife poaching, and encroachment from urban and agricultural activities.
Paner said the Sta. Cruz local government has supported the DENR-led initiative from the outset by providing documentation and complying with technical requirements needed for the application.
Backing for the bid has also gained momentum among neighboring local governments. In 2024, Davao City enacted an ordinance declaring Mt. Apo a geological monument and formally endorsing its inclusion in the UNESCO Global Geoparks list.
Beyond policy support, Sta. Cruz is also promoting activities that raise awareness of Mt. Apo’s geological significance while ensuring strict adherence to conservation rules. Paner said the LGU is assisting a national climb scheduled from February 19 to 21, initiated by the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines Inc., which is expected to draw around 150 climbers from across the country.
He stressed that participation will be carefully regulated in line with carrying-capacity limits, noting that Mt. Apo remains a protected area where environmental safeguards are strictly enforced.
Paner said Sta. Cruz considers its support for mountaineering and eco-adventure initiatives as part of a broader strategy to advance Mt. Apo’s UNESCO Geopark aspirations. He expressed hope that climbers from different parts of the country would help spread awareness of the campaign, reinforcing both conservation efforts and the push for international recognition of the iconic mountain.
