The Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary has permanently banned the entry, use, and disposal of wet wipes and single-use plastics within the protected area.

According to an advisory issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Davao (DENR-11), the total ban is based on a resolution passed by the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary-Protected Area Management Board (MHRWS-PAMB).

DENR-11 said the move stemmed from recurring findings by the Protected Area Management Office during its monitoring of ecotourism activities in Mount Hamiguitan conducted every semester.

Authorities said wet wipes, composed of non-biodegradable plastic fibers and chemical resins, do not decompose in forest environments while single-use plastics, including PET bottles, sachets, and disposal cutlery, contribute to the degradation of the protected area and its water sources.

DENR-11 said the policy will be enforced through mandatory pre-climb orientations, strict baggage inspections before entry, and the assistance of accredited porters and guides in monitoring compliance along the trails.

Violators will face penalties under existing national laws, including the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003), and the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018 (RA 11038).

“True conservation begins with us — in the choices we make, the actions we take, and the responsibility we embrace,” DENR-11 said.