The Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems relaunches the Make it Makiling! Program this 2022. It is an annual Lenten Season Visitor Management Program conducted in partnership with various stakeholders surrounding Mount Makiling Forest Reserve ASEAN Heritage Park (MMFR AHP). The program is conducted to educate visitors on the importance of conserving and protecting Mount Makiling while enjoying its scenery.
Due to the pandemic, the MIM! program operations have not been conducted for two consecutive years. This year, however, it was revived with visitor limited capacity operation following the easing of social activity restrictions. Only a maximum of 200 hikers and 50 campers were allowed to enter and stay on the mountain simultaneously. During the activity, minimum health standard protocols and guidelines set by the Covid-19 Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) are observed to ensure its safe implementation.
Online booking methods were implemented to manage the influx of visitors. They are encouraged to register at least one day before their date of visit. Walk-ins were also allowed to book on-site. However, priority is given to those who have booked their visit ahead of time. Points of interest opened to include the Flatrocks, Mudspring, Makiling Rainforest Park, and Agila Base. Hiking to MMFR’s peak was not allowed. Activities allowed during the MIM include hiking, camping, and geocaching. A total of 831 visitors flocked to MMFR during the Lenten season program. MIM was a success amidst the limited number of volunteers, including the University Police Force, Local Government Unit of Los Baños, Laguna, and Sto. Tomas, Batangas and MENRO of Sto. Tomas, Batangas.
By: ALLimpiada