A team of government and non-government workers marked this year’s Earth Day celebration on the summit of Mt. Kanlaon in Canlaon City, the tallest peak in Central Visayas and among the tallest in the country at over 8,000 feet.
The party was composed of staff from the Provincial Tourism Office, Canlaon City Tourism Office, Mountain Tigers Rescue Team based in Canlaon City, and troopers from the Philippine Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion stationed in Guihulngan City.
The expedition was led by Provincial Tourism Officer Myla Abellana, Canlaon City Tourism Officer-Designate Dr. Marissa Cornelia, and 11th IB Commander Col. Willy Isaac.
Abellana, in a statement, said the expedition kicked-off from Sitio Mapot, Brgy. Malaiba in Canlaon City on April 20.
Three days later, the team reached Guintubdan, La Carlota in Negros Occidental, covering a total trek stretch of 18.5 kilometers.
“As planned, the party arrived at Mt. Kanlaon’s summit on Earth Day,” said Abellana.
The trek team also collected trash along the trails aside from familiarization and documentation, said Abellana.
“Our expedition was necessary due to a recent upsurge of interest in Negros Oriental’s ecotourism sites, including Mt. Kanlaon,” Abellana added.
The climb came on the heels of a seminar on Mt. Kanlaon visitors protocol conducted by the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park office on March 1, at the Sidlakang Negros Village Conference Hall in Dumaguete City, which was attended by tourism officers, tour operators, and other stakeholders. (PIA)
