BACOLOD City – Officials of the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP) in Negros Occidental announced yesterday morning that trekking activities at the park remains prohibited.
Entrance stations will be manned by local officials, as well as the Kanlaon Green Brigades as part of this year’s “Oplan: Semana Santa 2024,” the MKNP management said.
MKNP is a popular trekking destination particularly during the Holy Week season when individuals or groups try to climb the summit of the volcano.
Local officials have barred people from entering the park as the volcano was placed by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) under Alert Level 1.
MKNP officials said trekkers, faith healers and visitors are restrained and compelled not to go into the park for any trekking activities and enter the four-kilometer permanent danger zone.
They also warned that any person caught trekking the volcano will be dealt with accordingly.
Kanlaon is a stratovolcano and the highest mountain on the island of Negros, as well as the highest point in the Visayas, with an elevation of 2,465 meters (8,087 feet) above sea level. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN