Mount Ugo climb wins national tourism award

ITOGON, Benguet — The 8th Mount Ugo Summer Climb won the best tourism event in the sports and adventure category under the municipal level during the annual national awards given by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) recently.

About 170 climbers from Benguet, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Quezon, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Bicol, and Metro Manila joined the annual three-day climb in Barangay Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet last April.

This year’s climb generated the highest number of participants in the last eight years and aims to increase advocacy for the preservation and conservation of the Cordillera watersheds pursuant to the advocacy of the Regional Development Council in the Cordillera for all sectors to be actively involved in the uphill climb to appropriately rehabilitate and manage the region’s deteriorating state of the environment.

Proceeds from the climb will be used for projects on environmental protection and cultural awareness which are the major components of the RDC’s effort to empower people to be involved in the preservation and protection of watersheds.

As a major sponsor of the Mt. Ugo climb for the last three years, SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet, Inc. supported community-based activities that promote environmental action and cultural awareness.

The annual Mt. Ugo climb bested the Bike Challenge of Rosales, Pangasinan and Kabayan, Benguet’s “A December to Remember” Pulag climb which were awarded 1st and 2nd runners up.

This was the third time that the Mt. Ugo climb has topped the category, winning in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

Criteria for the award were derived benefits to the community, continuity and sustainability of the event.