Mt. Kanlaon, Its Myths and Wildlife, Painting by Masaste

“Mt. Kanlaon Protest Climb Defied Government”

   Mark A. Cervantes, Coordinator, Green Alert Negros 

Mt. Kanlaon - The 35 climbers who joined the Mt. Kanlaon Protest Climb endured fatigue, hunger, cold weather conditions and rugged terrain inside Mt. Kanlaon to defy the government on their decision to allow the entry of PNOC-EDC on their geothermal project in MKNP. One of the trekkers even fell from the cliff and fortunately sustained minor injuries.

“The two-day Protest Climb is a success and we believe that we have defied established rule and policies on Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park that is only subservient to a private corporation like PNOC-EDC”. Green Alert said.

The climbers who joined the protest climb were divided into 3 teams which went inside Mt. Kanlaon in separate entrance points namely Wasay, Semagwan and Kabibihan. The trekkers mostly males was joined by 3 women who endured the same conditions during the trek. Those who joined are first time trekkers and experienced ones, including four (4) children of Atty. Andrea Si.

All three teams started the trek at around 8:00 in the morning on June 6 and passed by the PNOC perimeter area in Sitio Pataan, Ma-ao before penetrating the buffer zone.  

During the trek, the protestors noticed that PNOC-EDC seemed to clear some areas for new road access in preparation to enter the 12.5 hectares approved buffer zone area. The trekkers can also hear the well pad that was shut down for maintenance and cleaning for 9 months due to calcite deposits that resembles like a Boeing 707 airplane that just landed in the tarmac.

“The noise that can be heard in the well pad is really disturbing. The noise and the vibration coming from the well pad penetrate to the very heart of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park that is home to endemic fauna. If it can disturb the fauna inside Mt. Kanlaon how much more the community that is adjacent to the area.” Green Alert stressed.  

At the break of the 2^nd day, the protestors read the statement condemning the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, DENR, DOE and PAMB on their decision to favor PNOC-EDC to enter the park. The protestors also questioned the double standard policy of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the DENR to protect the Northern Negros Natural Park from illegal structures but opens Mt.. Kanlaon Natural Park from destruction. The protestors also declared the protest climb as “independence climb” being the start of liberating the fragile Negros flora and fauna from the chains of capitalist and private control. Lastly, the protestors also condemn the position of the Philippine Mt. Everest Team who maliciously endorsed the PNOC-EDC geothermal project using their fame as the first Filipino team to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. 

“The Philippine Mt. Everest Team is the symbol of Filipino pride to have reached the highest summit but their endorsement of the project of PNOC-EDC tarnished that very symbol.  Even if we only reached the summit of Mt. Kanlaon we can say that ours is the true Filipino pride because we never sold our ground to any form of development like that of PNOC-EDC.” Green Alert asserted.

"Our protest climb also established the fact that Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park is rich in biodiversity and still a haven among climbers and other outdoor enthusiast and that it is a place for scientific, education and recreational purpose as stated in the NIPAS Act. Green Alert added.

“We are also vindicated in pushing for other renewable energy options like hydro power when the Provincial Government of Negros just recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Alto Power Management Corporation to conduct a study to determine the technical and economic feasibility of building a hydro electric power plant along the upper Bago River, which can produce 75 megawatts of electricity. However, we still question the unprincipled and dubious decision of the Province to allow PNOC-EDC when in fact they know that there are other options like hydro electric.”  Green Alert added.