Mt. Kitanglad Range National Park, Philippines

• Mt. Kitanglad Range National Park is located in Bukidnon, Philippines.

Mt. Kitanglad Range National Park

• Mount Kitanglad is an inactive volcano in the Kitanglad Mountain Range on Mindanao Island.
• It is the fourth highest mountain in the Philippines, with a height of 2,899 meters (9,511 ft).
• The park is located between Malaybalay City and the municipalities of Lantapan, Impasugong, Sumilao, and Libona.
• It contains one of the Philippines' few remaining rainforests.

Brief History

• The park is characterized by densely forested slopes, numerous caves, over a dozen mountain peaks, several waterfalls, and a hot spring.
• It is one of the few remaining rainforests in the Philippines where the Philippine Eagle can be found.
• The name "Kitanglad" comes from a legend about a great flood that submerged Bukidnon’s native lands, with only the tip of the mountain, the size of a "tanglad" (lemon grass), remaining visible ("kita" in Visayan).

Proclamation No./Republic Act

• Presidential Proclamation No. 677 established the Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park on December 4, 1990.
• In 1994, it was chosen as one of the 10 priority sites under the World Bank through the Conservation of Priority Protected Areas Project.
• Presidential Proclamation 896 is dated October 24, 1996.
• On November 9, 2000, it became a fully protected area through Congress-approved R.A. 8978, also known as the Mt. Kitanglad Range Protected Area Act of 2000.

Objectives

• Conservation: To conserve the area's unique flora and fauna, maintain watersheds for water supply, and protect the Philippine Eagle.
• Cultural Heritage: To protect the interests of local inhabitants, honor customary laws, and celebrate local traditions.
• Management: To specify boundaries and develop/approve a management plan.
• Community Engagement: To involve local institutions in resource management and encourage responsible forest practices through community training.

Flora and Fauna

• Flora: The park includes species: Agathis philippinensis, Podocarpus costalis, Rhododendron kochii, Cinnamomum mercadoi, Rafflesia schadenbergiana and more
• Fauna: include 168 bird species, 131 butterfly species, 63 mammal species (17 endemic), 26 amphibian species, and 21 reptile species.
• Fauna Spesices: Mindanao Scops Owl, Bornean Bearded Pig, The Mindanao Lorikeet, Philippine Brown Deer, Apo Myna, Philippine Frogmouth, Giant Golden Crowned Flying Fox and more.

Tourist spots

• Cinchona Forest Reserve in Bukidnon was established by the Americans in 1929 to cultivate cinchona trees, the bark of which provides quinine and other alkaloids used to treat malaria.
• It is considered one of Bukidnon's main tourist attractions and a historic landmark of Lantapan.
• During World War II, old buildings and structures in the park were used as a defense force by the Japanese Imperial Army.
• Hiking to the summit of Mount Kitanglad takes 4.5-7.5 hours via a steep rainforest trail with metal stairs and muddy dirt paths.

Threats, Issues, and Problems

• Deforestation: Illegal logging and land conversion for agriculture threaten the park's ecosystems.
• Wildlife Poaching: Hunting of endangered species poses a significant risk to biodiversity.
• Climate Change: Altered weather patterns affect flora and fauna, leading to habitat loss.
• Invasive Species: Non-native species disrupt the natural balance of the ecosystem.

Management/Conservation Strategic Plan

• Strengthening Law Enforcement: Enhance patrols, train park rangers on wildlife protection laws, and involve local communities in monitoring; collaborate with local police and military.
• Community Engagement and Empowerment: Raise awareness about biodiversity and conservation.
• Develop sustainable livelihood projects and provide alternative income sources for local residents.
• Research and Monitoring: Conduct regular biodiversity assessments, focusing on endangered and endemic species; use habitat monitoring to assess changes in ecosystem conditions.
• Sustainable Tourism Development: Promote eco-friendly infrastructure (eco-lodges, visitor centers) and offer guided tours and educational programs.
• Restoration and Rehabilitation: Reforestation projects using native species, invasive species management, and habitat restoration initiatives on critical habitats.

Linkages/Partner Agencies

• Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
• ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
• National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.