A combined force of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local leaders of Davao Oriental have joined hands to enhance the environmental protection and preservation of Mount Hamiguitan harboring an enigmatic beauty of dwarf trees.
The mountain, covering 1,234.56 hectares, has been declared a protected area by the UNESCO, and is officially called the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (MHWRS).
With an altitude of only 1,620 meters above sea level, the MHWRS has earned the unique category of one of the dwarf trees—and the distinction of being the “precious jewel” of Davao Oriental province.
The MHRWS, as a mountain range runs from north to south along the Pujada peninsula in the southeastern part of the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor. It occupies the land area within the municipal boundaries of Mati, San Isidro, and Governor Generoso.
To monitor the activities on the mountain, a Lawin Patrol together with the Bantay Gubat safeguards the mountain. A regular IEC (information, education, communication) program is also conducted, which explains why there are no hunting activities reported from the area.
A multi-sector drive, including the indigenous peoples’ group called Lumads, promotes the need to protect the mountain. The University of the Philippines Los Baños, the Central Mindanao University, and the Davao Oriental State University also help in conducting research and data gathering of the area, according to protected area superintendent Rolly Tapec of the DENR.
Through the years, the MHRWS has withstood the threats and challenges to emerge as one of nature’s best gifts to humankind. But beyond the awards, what’s truly amazing is the collective effort of the stakeholders or the “Bayanihan” to protect, conserve and keep the site pristine for generations to come.
Despite its diminutive size, Mount Hamiguitan is home to very rich and unique biodiversity that continues to attract nature lovers, scientists, and outdoor aficionados.
“The mountain has a highly diverse mountain ecosystem, which makes it even more unique compared to other mountain areas in the country,” Tapec revealed.
Hailed as the country’s 6th UNESCO World Heritage Site and 7th ASEAN Heritage Park, the MHRWS is one of the two protected areas that received both UNESCO and ASEAN recognitions along with the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan.
“We really need to protect and care for Mt. Hamiguitan. We must remember that we just borrowed all its gifts for our usage and we must do our best to protect it for the next generation. It is the only one we got,” Tapec stressed.
The MHRWS’s other crowning glory is that it is home to the country’s widest natural pygmy forest spanning an area of a thousand hectares. The enigmatic beauty of bonsai or dwarf trees sprawling across the Park is one reason why this mountain range has been declared a protected area.
With its semi-isolation state and climate conditions, the MHRWS becomes a perfect host for high level of endemicity with its forests serving as critical habitat to thousands of flora and fauna amidst adverse conditions.
Moreover, the lockdown helped increase the forest cover, allowing its forests and the whole mountain to regenerate. The normal carrying capacity of the Park was set to only 30 trekkers per climb to ensure everyone’s safety – that of humans and the forest itself. But during the pandemic, it was limited to only 15 persons per climb.
“Intentional” moderate income. “In 2018, MHRWS earned P2.3 million from leisure trekking. But with the pandemic hitting us, we have no income from 2020 to 2021. When we were allowed to open last April 16, we earned a remarkable amount of more than one million pesos,” Tapec disclosed. Revenue generation has always been “intentional,” he said.
Through the years, the Park has provided the province with fresh air, unpolluted water for drinking and, most importantly, livelihoods for the community.
“As of now, we have 53 accredited porters and guides trained by PAMB [Protected Area Management Board]. Equipped with training and a first aid kit during your climb, you will have a safe and enjoyable hike inside the Park. We charge a reasonable P500/day for a porter, and P500/day for your guide and if you want to be really educated during your hike, we have a local scientist for P1,000/day to go with you and tell you more about the endemic Nepenthes and other animals and plants in the mountain,” Tapec said.
There are two ways to enjoy and experience the beauty of MHRWS, the day-trip leisure trekking and the three-day trekking. Safe and open to all ages, the mountain has so much to offer.
“On your first day of hiking, you will already reach the pygmy forest and also see what we call the Black Mountain. On the second day, we will bring you to the twin falls for a swim, then to the Lantawan tres, a viewing deck where you will see the Pujada Bay, the Tinagong Dagat (an intermittent lake) and finally the hidden garden,” Tapec said.
“On the third day,” Tapec continued, “we hike all the way to the heaven door site where you will see the iconic tree of MHRWS. Here at the peak, you will enjoy the cool breeze and a solitude moment.”
Tapec cautioned hikers against picking or taking anything from the Park. He encouraged them to “keep our water source safe.” So campers and hikers are not allowed to bring and use either soap or shampoo while on the camp stations, since the soil must be protected from any residue – consistent with keeping the water very safe.
The campers are also required to bring down their trash from the mountain. The porters turn the trash to the materials recovery facility (MRF) on the ground, where it is collected by the concerned LGU.
Tapec encouraged visitors to provide visitor feedback, evaluating their porter and other factors, “so that we can learn from one another.” He added that every visitor is issued a climbing certificate as a souvenir to remember Mt. Hamiguitan by.
“We really need to protect and care for Mt. Hamiguitan. We must remember that we just borrowed all its gifts for our usage and we must do our best to protect it for the next generation. It is the only one we got,” Tapec said.