Mount Maculot in Batangas remains closed to trekkers – LGU

LUCENA CITY — Climbing activities at Mount Maculot in Cuenca, Batangas, remain strictly prohibited, the local tourism office reiterated on Friday, July 24. In a public advisory, the Cuenca Tourism Office (CTO) clarified that the climbing ban covers all areas of Mount Maculot, all hiking and climbing activities, and any purpose or reason for attempting to ascend the mountain. “This prohibition applies to all areas of Mount Maculot, all types of climbing activities, and any reason or purpose for attempting to climb the mountain,” the advisory stated. The CTO also denied claims that climbing is allowed in other parts of the mountain or that only the Rockies and Summit areas remain closed. “If there are reports claiming that climbing is allowed in other parts of the mountain or that only the Rockies and Summit areas are closed, our office strongly denies such statements,” the tourism office said. It added that such claims were neither coordinated with nor reported to the barangay, the municipal government, or the CTO. The continued closure is being enforced under Executive Order No. 1, Series of 2020. During Holy Week in March, the Cuenca local government reiterated that hiking activities at the 3,107-foot Mount Maculot would remain suspended “for the foreseeable future” as part of efforts to promote responsible and sustainable tourism. Authorities are assessing the mountain’s carrying capacity to determine the safe number of visitors it can accommodate while protecting its natural environment and ensuring sustainable tourism management. A comprehensive tourism master plan is also being finalized to guide the site’s long-term development and management. The temporary closure will allow the local government to implement several measures, including introducing environmental user fees, retraining and re-accrediting local guides, rehabilitating and properly managing existing trails, and deploying additional personnel. The mountain attracts day hikers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts, particularly during Holy Week and the summer season. One of its best-known attractions is The Rockies, a volcanic rock formation believed to be part of the original crater area of Taal Volcano. /das