I saw this post earlier this morning and could not help but think of the unnecessary requirements to hike Mt. Guiting-Guiting. The new requirements were laid down since a hiker had died last December 2025. I bet the Tourism, and LGU of Sibuyan Island are good in their intentions. However, I have some questions: What are the purpose and relevance of police clearance? Why is it that you need to take the medical certification in the island itself? I guess, they want to curb the fake medical certificates out there, but it could add another time to process the requirements.
Instead of going to the DENR to process the permits and watch the orientation videos, we will add another time to process the documents. In other words, instead of the usual five days which consists of two days boat travel, and three days hike, it will add another one day for processing the requirements!
With regard to BMC requirement, true you need to have a basic mountaineering course so that you will know what to do when you hike the most difficult mountains in the Philippines, but there are many BMC materials in the internet! Sure, you need practical knowledge. Yet, the real knowledge comes when you hit the trail.
Good thing that the LGU listened to the clamor of hikers and amended their requirements as follows:
- Hikers need to log in to the police station.
- The BMC requirement is only applicable to Team Leaders, Coordinators, and Organizers.
I can’t help but wonder especially in number 2: This requirement can be circumvented by being a joiner. At least, the LGU will not require you to have a BMC requirement. How about those hikers who are into DIY? Do they still need to have a BMC Certificate? The answer is yes.
This is the type of red tape where people get turned off. Instead of making it easier for the people to appreciate the mountains, they making it hard to access it. Instead of promoting tourism and make it accessible to the people, they make things worse.
Make it the responsibility of every hiker to prepare themselves not baby them.
I understand the concern that the boom of hiking comes the organizer and the joiner who may or may not be prepared. But it is each hiker’s responsibility to research and prepare for the arduous hike. LNT No. 1. Do you have hypertension? Diabetes? Make sure that you examine yourself and go the doctor for examination, and bring your medicines and other equipment for measurement for your safety. The mountain does not care about your health. It does not empathize with your flight. It is just there.
Doc Gideon Lasco in the podcast of JP Alipio, and in his inquirer opinion said it well:
“Ours is an overprotective society; we tend to view people under our jurisdiction—most especially children and young people—as needful of supervision and surveillance, not support and self-reliance.”
With this kind of thinking, people will be stunted in their development.
I guess, I will search for another mountain to hike.
Manananggol na Namumundok 