On Mount Apo, Trails of Waste and Destruction
Although the amount of garbage collected during this year?s clean-up drive has significantly decreased compared to the summer of 2000, trash left behind by irresponsible trekkers still accumulate on Mount Apo.
By Keith Bacongco
davaotoday.com
KIDAPAWAN CITY — Despite the campaign by the local government and some nongovernment organizations to maintain cleanliness on the country’s highest peak, garbage continue to pile up at the Mount Apo natural park.
Although the amount of garbage collected during this year?s clean-up drive has significantly decreased compared to the summer of 2000, trash left behind by irresponsible trekkers still accumulate on Mount Apo.
Ermelo Libre, executive director of the Mount Apo Foundation Inc., told davaotoday.com that there is a big improvement in the collection of garbage on Mount Apo. “Way back in 2000, we hauled 1.5 tons at Venado lake and around 30 sacks of assorted garbage at the peak,? Libre said. ?Comparatively, the garbage and graffiti have decreased tremendously. I give credit to LGUs that religiously conducted pre-climb orientation and onsite monitoring of climbers activities.”