Mt. Kanlaon National Park opens for trekkers this Holy Week
Negros Occidental -- As the Holy Week is fast approaching, it means trekking for those who seek adventure with nature and heights. Thus, one of the last piece of the once lush natural forest in Negros Occidental - the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park is open for trekking this Holy Week and remains open the whole year round unless PHILVOCS will raise the Alert Level from zero to one.
A maximum of nine trekkers are allowed per group and a P300 fee is collected per trekker and the group will pay P500 as guider's fee. Each group is required one guide and optional for one porter. An orientation on the Do's and Don't's is given to the trekkers before every climb. The choice of trail and the date of climb is on a first come first serve basis.
The months of March, April, May, October, November and December are high season months which the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park can issue permits to nine trekkers per group per trail each day but for the rest of the low season months, only one group per trail per month will be issued a permit as resting period or months. There are three trails recommended by MKNP - Wasay Entrance Station at Brgy. Minoyan in Murcia, Sitio Guintubdan, Brgy. Ara-al in La Carlota City and Sitio Mananawin, Brgy. Masulog in Canlaon City.
Since January 13, 2006, the "Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park Law" is imposing penalties for illegal/unpermitted mountaineering activities especially on cutting and other unauthorized activities. "Oplan Semana Santa 2006"will be in operation to man, monitor and check visitors and other mountaineering related activities.
(PIA/EAD)