After almost two years of rehabilitation, the famous Pico de Loro peak in Mount Palay Palay/ Mataas na Gulod in Maragondon, Cavite will be opening its trails to the public March 30, with strict rules and regulations and an efficient Visitor Management and Orientation Program.
The imposed indefinite moratorium on Mounts Palay Palay/Mataas na Gulod Protected Landscape is now lifted according to the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of Mount Palay Palay/Mataas na Gulod Protected Landscape.
“Opo, confirmed po na magbubukas na ang Mt. Palay Palay and Mataas na Gulod to public, medyo may paghihigpit sa mga aakyat at magtataas ang entrance fee (Yes, we can confirm that Mt. Palay Palay and Mataas na Gulod will be reopening to the public, although there will be stricter rules to be imposed and an increase in entrance fee),” Ronnie Unas of Maragondon Tourism Office said in an interview with PNA.
Mountaineers can only hike Mt. Pico de Loro inside the park via online booking; no walk-in visits will be allowed. The website will be available this month, according to PAMB.
The secured Mount Palay Palay Mataas na Gulod website has an online payment merchant that can accept/process bank transfers, credit card, and even over the counter payments. Schedule of fees will be posted prior to booking.
Overnight camping will likewise no longer be allowed. In addition, the Leave No Traces policy will be strictly imposed.
A carrying capacity will be integrated so only a certain number of visitors will be allowed each day to prevent the abuse of the protected area. A systematic schedule will only allow small groups at a time to prevent overcrowding and destruction of vegetation.
All hikers are required to be accompanied by Ecoguides to keep them safe and to monitor their activities while inside the park. The PAMB has trained guides and wildlife enforcers and first aiders in the area.
Visitors will undergo Visitor Management and Orientation Program, a system developed to manage the visitors entering the park and to mitigate the possible effect of hikers to the Protected Area.
The park strictly prohibits bringing of deadly weapons, alcohol, and any prohibited drugs. In accordance with the Presidential Executive Order No. 26 or the National Smoking Ban of 2017, smoking (including vaping) is not allowed while inside the park’s premises other than the designated smoking area.
However, the park summit and the monolith are now off limits. Based on a study made by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region IV-A, the monolith is no longer safe, according to PAMB.
Traversing to other mountain is still prohibited. The only entry/exit point is through the DENR station in Ternate.