President Marcos has joined the calls to preserve Mt. Apo as it vies for its inclusion in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) list of world heritage sites.
Marcos made the statement as he spoke before the people of Davao del Sur during the inauguration of San Miguel Corporations' poultry megafarm in Hagonoy on Thursday, Oct. 12.
"We are also one with the people in the call for the preservation and conservation of nearby Mt. Apo as we vie for its inclusion in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) list of World Heritage Sites," Marcos said.
The President mentioned this as he was assuring the local government of Hagonoy and the entire Mindanao that the government "still has many initiatives, including big ticket projects in store for the island."
Mt. Apo is the Philippines' highest peak with an elevation of 2,956 meters above sea level (masl).
The Mt. Apo Natural Park was declared a protected area under Republic Act No. 9237 in 2003.
It is also included in the United Nations list of national parks and acknowledged as an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) heritage site.
It has a land area of about 64,000 hectares and spans through Regions 11 and 12, covering three cities.