Beauty of the Philippines

Environment officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) declared the Mt. Kitanglad Range Protected Area in Bukidnon as an ASEAN Heritage Park.

The declaration was made during the recent 11th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment held in Singapore. The park now joins the list of 27 other ASEAN Heritage Parks.

Mt. Kitanglad is the third declared ASEAN Heritage Park in the Philippines, after Mt. Apo in Davao and Mt. Iglit-Baco in Mindoro Oriental.

“Mt. Kitanglad range contains a wide range of biodiversity that represents the ASEAN region. It is home to hundreds of species of plants and animals, about half of which is unique to the area,” the Department of Environment and Natural Resource said.

The declaration will also further enhance the government’s efforts in not only conserving the country’s biodiversity but also in preserving the culture and tradition of the region.

Under the ASEAN Heritage Parks program, protected areas with unique, diverse, and outstanding value are given the highest recognition as an ASEAN Heritage Park. The program aims to promote conservation of the region’s natural heritage.

Mt.Kitanglad covers seven municipalities and one city in Bukidnon, namely, Talakag (4,945 ha), Baungon (3,157 ha), Libona (6,196 ha), Manolo Fortich (595 ha), Sumilao (3,532 ha), Lantapan (7,912 ha), Impasug-ong (1,985 ha), and Malaybalay City (2,317 ha).

Covering an estimated area of about 30,642.0 hectares, Mt. Kitanglad was declared a protected area in 2000 by virtue of Republic Act No. 8978.

ASEAN is formed by 10 countries namely Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

 

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