First Altitude OCR Word Series-Asia to be hosted in Mt. Pulag National Park

Photo Courtesy || OCR

Cordillera - Philippines' second highest mountain, Mt. Pulag National Park in Kabayan, Benguet will be hosting the Asian Qualifier Event of the 2022 World Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) Altitude Race Championship to held in Morocco in July 2022. 

Mt. Pulag is still closed to the public except for locals but will be temporarily opened on March 26-27 for the athletes who are participating in the event.

Mt. Pulag was chosen as a venue for the race because of its beautiful and world-class trails comparable to other mountains in the world, according to Thumbie Remigio, the Technical Director of Altitude OCR via PTV-Cordillera. 

The race shall take participants through the trails inside the Mt. Pulag National Park, summiting the peak of the Mt. Pulag and back to the Babadak Ranger Station with 12-15 obstacles in selected locations at an altitude of 2600masl.

A memorandum of agreement has been signed between the Philippines Obstacle Sport Federation (POSF) and the local government unit of Kabayan for the implementation of the said sport activity.

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According to OCR, the event aims to restart tourism at the Mt. Pulag National Park, provide livelihood for the community in Benguet who will be providing manpower, merchandise and supplies through the event, launch various community projects, and identify potential athletes from the nearby towns. 

Participants will get to enjoy the ALTITUDE OCR SERIES-ASIA and will receive a locally crafted medal, access to the park and an event shirt. Proceeds of the registration fee will be used to support a renovation project which will be announced once final.

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Mt. Pulag in Benguet included in Tripadvisor 2020 Travelers' Choice 'Not to Miss' destination in Luzon

Photo Courtesy || Mt. Pulag National Park - Bulletin

Cordillera - The Luzon Island in the Philippines was voted by Tripadvisor's readers as the World's Top 2 Trending Destination in the 2020 Travelers' Choice Awards. 

Luzon landed in the 2nd spot of traveler's popular destination in Luzon just after Kochi in India based in the list of Top 25 Trending Destination in the World released on February 25, 2020.  

According to Tripadvisor, "Travelers are flocking to the island of Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines, to experience one of the more unique locations in the world."

The island of Luzon houses some of the world top destinations for tourist and travelers including  the National Museum of Manila, Fort Santiago in the Walled City of Intramuros and Cordillera's Mt. Pulag National Park which is one of UNESCO's list of World Heritage Center.

Mt. Pulag National Park is located in Kabayan, Benguet and it is the third highest mountain in the Philippine next to Mt. Apo and Mt. Dulang-dulang. 

It was proclaimed a National Park through Pres. Proclamation No.75 on February 20, 1987 covering an area of 11,550 hectares. 

Mt. Pulag is part of the Cordillera Biogeographic Zone and is a National Integrated Protected Areas Programme site.

The mountain also known as the 'playground of the gods' is famous for its "sea of clouds" and the view of the Milky Way Galaxy at dawn, which has attracted many tourists who wanted to experience the 'heavenly' scenery.

It has attracted at least 50,000 tourists in 2019 according to the latest data from the local government of Kabayan.

On Thursday (February 27, 2020), Kabayan Mayor Faustino Aquisan issued EO 23-2020 to lift the temporary suspension of all tourism activities in Mt. Pulag due the threat of the Coronavirus. 

Tourists who are planning to visit Mt. Pulag however, need to follow protocols set by the local government to ensure their safety and prevent the spread of the virus. 

In an advisory issued by the municipality of Kabayan, all tourists, tour organizers and tour operators should require their guests/clients/customers and all tourist do declare their travel history before being permitted to visit the park. 

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DENR preparing criminal charges against tourists responsible of burning grassland inside Mt. Pulag

Photo Courtesy: BFP National Headquaters

Cordillera - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is preparing to file criminal charges against group of tourists who are responsible in the burning of almost 1.5 hectares of grassland, including luscious grass and dwarf bamboo plants inside the Mt. Pulag National Park. 

Last Saturday afternoon, fire hit a camp on Mount Pulag National Park in  Kabayan, Benguet causing a massive forest fire destruction of the richly verdant grassland. 

Initial Investigation revealed that the blaze was caused by a portable butane burner left by a group of hikers from Cebu. 

Firefighters arrived a the scene at around 7.10 p.m and were able to stopped the fire at 9.15 p.m.

After the incident, the DENR is planning to impose additional requirements for tourists visiting the park to ensure that such incident would not be repeated. 

Meanwhile, Mt. Pulag national park management team is looking for an open area to be designated as a place where tourists and visitors can cook. 

They also plan to require overnight campers to bring with them portable fire extinguishers whenever they planned to stay in the park overnight.

Butane Burner left by campers from Cebu. Photo Courtesy: BFP

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