Mountain News: Change and conflict in Pico de Loro registration

Hikers who climbed Pico de Loro recently tell us that the DENR station in Pico de Loro has increased the registration fee from 20 to 25 pesos. Moreover, the DENR people are telling hikers not to pay registration fee to the people in the ‘basecamp’, saying that the people there have no authority to collect any fee. On the other hand, the basecamp people are appealing for support and continued patronage of hikers, citing their sustained presence in the mountain and their efforts to maintain the trails.

@Vinci Berris, who climbed Pico last weekend, summarized the situation: “DENR and 1st basecamp conflict. Basecamp claiming that they should be the one collecting because they are the ones maintaining and giving services like lending a horse when there’s an emergency.”

The “double collection” situation in Pico de Loro has gone on for several years and many hikers have questioned the validity or legality of the fees. Thus this recent turn of events will likely be welcomed by many. On the other hand, some hikers are supportive of Kuya Rey, comparing him to Nanay Cording of Tarak Ridge. @Tahimik na Jim said on the PM Facebook page: “Wala pa hong buwaya sa jump off, kay Mang Rey na talaga nagbabayad. Same problem lang din to katulad kay “nanay” ng tarak ridge.” 

To put things to perspective, a P20 collection per individual can translate to 2000 per weekend, assuming there are 100 hikers. Thus monthly collections per registration point – whether in Pico de Loro or Batulao – can reach several thousands a month, and much more in the summer months. Understandably, registration fees are a source of conflict in many areas. We have also seen this happen in Mt. Talamitam several years ago.

PinoyMountaineer believes that mountaineers should be willing to pay registration fees as long as they are reasonable, legal, and are truly being used for the protection of the mountain and the maintenance of the trail. However we also understand that there are many informal institutions that ought to be respected especially those with a longstanding relationship with mountaineers. In cases of conflict, it is up to the local government to resolve it. Mountaineers should not have to get caught in predicaments like this. 

Meanwhile, with the bus ban in Manila proper, public transportation to Pico de Loro (Ternate, Maragondon) is now via the southwest terminal in Coastal Mall, costing around 80-85 pesos one-way. These updates will be incorporated in the Pico de Loro page in PinoyMountaineer.com.

What do you think about the changes in Pico de Loro? Share your thoughts by commenting in this page.

Follow Gideon Lasco on Twitter (@gideonlasco) and Instagram (@gideonlasco)!

Facebook Comments

Leave a Reply

10 Comments on "Mountain News: Change and conflict in Pico de Loro registration"


Guest
Anonymous
11 years 1 month ago

sana lang may representative ang pinoy mountaineer when it comes sa ganitong paninigil, ireklamo sana natin sa ombudsman dahil bawal ang ginagawang ito ng DENR, kung may gusto maningil dapat may resibo para sure tayong sa bayan napupunta ang pera at hindi lang sa bulsa ng mga tiwaling opisyal, hindi porket bente bente lang yan e hahayaan na natin, sabihin nyo lang kung gusto nyo ang idea ko may malalapitan tayong mga abogado na willing tumulong basta sana walang atrasan pag nasa ombudsman na ang kaso

Guest
Anonymous
11 years 1 month ago

Sa tingin ko okay lang nman eto kasi kung sila din naman ang nakakatulong sa mga mountaineers, lalo na sa mga nawawala, and for the denr sana they can take care of the npa issue kasi marami din natatakot umakyat dahil sa mga ito. And kung aakyat tayo, siguro isama na natin sa budget yung dalawang babayaran.

Guest
Anonymous
11 years 1 month ago

malala na talga sitwasyon sa Pico de Loro… since 2010 after 3 years wasak na wasak na talaga ang trail..palagi nadami ng basura….nagkaron pa ng tindahan sa basecamp… hay naku … ang opinyon ko bilang isang mamumundok at isang kabitenyo ipasara muna yan para makarekober ang bundok… at para makaisip ng ibang pagkakakitaaan yung ganid na DENR… as for mang Rey tyak na makakasurvive sya…Ipasara ang bundok nakakaawa na eh!

Guest
11 years 1 month ago

Ayus lang naman mag bayad. Kapag may nawawala kapag hihiling ka ng tulong sa DENR ituturo ka sa Police station. Usually sila Mang Rey ang tumutulong. well hindi naman natin masasabi na walang ginagawa DENR kasi sila tagabantay ng PICO. It all comes down to one conclusion na both parties may ginagawa to preserve the mountain. Hindi mandatory ang pagbibigay kela mang rey pero considering na

1. nagpoprovide sila ng potable water
2. ang laking tulong nila sa search ang rescue

masasabi na karapatdapat din silang bigyan kahit ng konting tulong lamang

jordan erenio
anonymous Mountaineer

Guest
11 years 1 month ago

baka naman na-infiltrate na rin ni Napoles yan? grrr.. anyway, our willingness to pay double (assuming na may napupuntahan sa magandang patutunguhan) yung minimal fees e ok lang. sa tarak nga, we pay the required fee, pero pag dating kay manang cording, we shared generously 🙂