LA TRINIDAD, Philippines – Mt. Pulag remains closed to trekkers as Northern Luzon braces for heavy rains and strong winds due to Typhoon Lawin.
Emerita Albas, Mt. Pulag Park management office chief, said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered the mountain off-limits to trekkers since Friday when Typhoon Karen entered the country.
Albas said the Office of Civil Defense also pressed for the closure of the mountain during typhoons.
Sixteen tourists were stranded while five others attempted to climb the mountain over the weekend despite the typhoon.
Those who were stranded took refuge at the Pulag Protected Area in Sitio Ambangeg in Barangay Dackan. The five trekkers entered Akiki Trail at dawn on Saturday without permission from the DENR.
Albas said the organizers of the trek of the 16 stranded tourists had been banned for defying orders to keep out of the mountain during bad weather.
The park management also sought the assistance of the Philippine National Police to warn the public on the no entry policy in the park.
Albas said they plan to put up “gates of entry” to monitor and identify tourists entering the park.