Trekking activities in the upland area of Barangay Tagurano in Davao City have been suspended as the barangay pushes for regulation for the activities. 

The Mt. Apo Natural Park-Protected Area Management Office (MANP-PAMO) ordered the suspension.

The barangay council passed a resolution requesting the city mayor to regulate trekking in the area.

“Pero ang rason, nga atong iregulate. Mao nang naghimo ang Brgy. Council og resolution nga hangyuon ang opisina sa Mayor nga i-regulate ang maong trekking activity -- adunay pagtugot sa barangay, adunay pagtugot sa NCIP, ug adunay pagtugot sa atoang syudad,” Barangay Tagurano Chairman, Danilo Camarillo, said.

“Ang tumong ug tuyo sa gobyerno nga ang area diri nag sulod sa protected area sa PAMB ug sa claim sa NCIP nga mapadayon nato ang trekking activity nga walay demolisyon nga mahimo,” Camarillo added.

A composite team will be formed to draft the regulations.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also issued a cease and desist order against structures built in the area.

Operations of at least nine structures related to trekking activities were ordered suspended.

Under the closure order, putting up structures and doing business within the protected area without a clearance from the Protected Area Management Board and permit from the DENR are prohibited by virtue of the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018.

“Since nasulod sila sa strict protection zone which is ginadili ang pagtukod og infrastructures diri ug other activities nga bawal, like kanang mga unregulated tourism activities, trekking, hiking, etc.,” MANP-PAMO Ecosystems Management Specialist, Eric John Navarro, said.