Mt. Halcon Under Harassment

Halcon Under Harassment

photo courtesy of Google images 

Mt. Halcon of Mindoro is said to be as one of the toughest mountain to climb for the good old mountaineers or the so called veterans. The mountain with elevation of 8,484 ft. is also the haven for the Alangan Mangyans. Maybe for some I am one of those unlucky mountaineers who are suffering the effect of the climbing ban since 2005. There are lots of reason for the said ban but the reality is the victims of this is the mountaineering community. The mountaineering community is the co-helper of the local government in upholding the Eco-tourism of the province but now due to ban mountaineers tend to go other mountains.

For many years we don't have concrete information regarding Mt. Halcon. I am blessed to read the blog Mt. Halcon hike moratorium: Who really benefited? written by Jommell Estillore Romero. The said blog focused on the issue of banning the mountaineers to climb Mt. Halcon and the current state of the forest area. As I  read the news I asked lots of questions. The photos of the news are enough too describe the current horrific  situation of the mountain. The said mountain is in need of mountaineers' presence and vigilance. Maybe for some mountaineering is only for fun but for me mountaineering is being good stewards of God's creation while enjoying the privilege of being on the mountain.

The government need to revisit the moratorium on Mt. Halcon climbing. My recommendations are the following:

1. Organize a body that will manage the mountain

2. Limit the number of climbers

3. Create more job opportunity and livelihood projects for the Mangyan brothers

4. Penalize all individuals and organizations responsible for the massive destruction of the mountain

5. Immediate Inventory of the resources with the mountain most especially the bonsai and forest trees.

6. Stop the political interest of few

Mt. Halcon is a must climb for every Filipino mountaineer, one of my wishlist. If the government will not do the necessary action the majestic Mt. Halcon will only be a part of the history.

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