Locals lose livelihood after Mt. Apo closure

The indefinite closure of Mt. Apo to trekkers has resulted in loss of livelihood by the local community but local government units (LGUs) are now eyeing alternative livelihood for them.
Sta. Cruz tourism officer Julius Paner said the rehabilitation of Mt. Apo will take some time and that would heavily impact on porters, guides and IP communities that are directly earning from the town’s tourism industry.
Paner lamented it was a sudden loss of livelihood due to an unfortunate incident. He said jobs related to tourism activities here had been the daily source of income among the residents.
Those badly affected are the 70 porters with daily earnings of P500, the 30 tour guides earning at least P1,000 per day plus the transportation sector mostly “habal-habal” drivers charging P150 per trip.
Paner said their recent figure of climbers passing the Sta. Cruz trail accounted to 400, each paying P1,500 registration fee.
Earlier, the Sta. Cruz government in agreement with the Department of Tourism (DOT)-Region 11 and the Visit Davao Fun Sale had already cancelled the Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge scheduled this month.
The extreme challenge held annually has been known internationally with several foreign participants.
The Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge was first held on April 29 to 30, 2011 and is known today as the toughest adventure race in the country.
It was a 24-hour extreme competition relay that kicked off in the coastal areas of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur towards the peak of Mt. Apo. Participants went biking, trekking, water tubing and road running to complete the race. (PNA)