Mount Makiling

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Mount Makiling
Mount Maquiling

Satellite view of Mount Makiling

Elevation

1,090 m (3,580 ft)[1]

Location

Location in the Philippines laguna

Mount Makiling

Location

Coordinate
s

Philippines
Bay, Calamba City, Los Baos,
Laguna and Sto. Tomas, Batangas,
Luzon.
1408N 12112E
Coordinates:

1408N 12112E

Geology
Type

Stratovolcano

Volcanic
arc/belt

Macolod Corridor

Last
eruption

Unknown

Climbing
Easiest
route

from U.P. Los Baos

Mount Makiling, or Mount Maquiling, is a dormant volcano in

Laguna province on the island of Luzon, Philippines. The mountain
rises to an elevation of 1,090 m (3,580 ft) above mean sea level and
is the highest feature of the Laguna Volcanic Field. The volcano has
no recorded historic eruption but volcanism is still evident through
geothermal features like mud spring and hot springs. South of the
mountain is the Makiling-Banahaw Geothermal Plant. The Philippine
Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) classify the
volcano as potentially active.
Mount Makiling is a state-owned forest reserve administered by the
University of the Philippines, Los Baos. Prior its transfer to the
university, the mountain was the first national park of the Philippines.
Mount Makiling National Park was established on February 23,
1933 by Proc. No. 552. However, it was decommissioned as a
national park on June 20, 1963 by Republic Act no. 3523 when it was
transferred to the University for use in forestry education and
information.[2]

Now known as Mount Makiling Forest Reserve, it was declared an

ASEAN Heritage Park in 2013.[3]

Legend
Legends surrounding the mountain relates to Maria Makiling, which is
said to be the 'guardian' of the mountain. The contour of the mountain
is said to be that of her in a reclining position. [1]

History

The following are the proclamations, republic acts, and executive

orders relevant to the Makiling Forest Reserve (MFR): [4]
Proclamation No. 106 (1910) - Makiling Forest Reserve was
established with specific boundaries and placed under the Bureau of
Forestry by Governor General W. Cameron Forbes to regulate the
use of public forest and forest reserves in the Philippines; Makiling
Forest Reserve was set aside for the purpose of establishing a forest
school and for silvicultural studies.
Proclamation No. 60 (1920) - The reserved was renamed Makiling
National Botanic Gardens and placed under the Bureau of Forestry
by Proclamation NO. 60 issued by Governor General Francis B.
Harrison primary for scientific studies on plants and animals.
Proclamation No. 552 (1933) - The reserved was renamed the
Makiling National Park under the Bureau of Forestry issued by
Governor-General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. to serve as game refuge
and for other purposes for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.
Proclamation No. 214 (1937) - Calamba Estate block was added to
the Park for forest purposes issued by President Manuel L. Quezon.
Republic Act (RA) 826 (1952) - Transfer of the administration of the
Makiling National Park form the Bureau of Forestry to the

Commission of Parks and Wildlife in order to promote effectual

planning, development, maintenance and conservation of all national
parks, monuments and wildlife in the country.
Proclamation No. 692 (1960) - Administration of the Makiling National
Park was transferred from the Commission of Parks and Wildlife to
the University of the Philippines (UP) issued by President Carlos P.
Garcia for forestry education and research purposes of the College of
Forestry, subject to the condition that said land will be conserved and
preserved as a national park.
Republic Act (RA) 3523 (1963) - The Makiling National park was
disestablished and then ceded, transferred and conveyed to UP
issued by Pres. Diosdado Macapagal to serve as the land resource
for carrying out a program of public education and information in
forestry, with end goal of promoting general public appreciation of
forest values.
Executive Order (EO) 224 (1987) - Complete jurisdiction, control and
regulation of watershed areas including the Makiling Forest Reserve
was given to the National Power Corporation (NPC) issued by
President Corazon C. Aquino in support of the countrys major
program of energy development.
Republic Act (RA) 6967 (1990) - Administration of the Makiling Forest
Reserve was finally transferred to UPLB by President Corazon C.
Aquino primarily as a training laboratory for the advancement of
scientific and technical knowledge on the preservation, conservation
and development of forest, flora and fauna and natural resources.
Executive Order 121 (1994) - created a Presidential Commission on
Laguna Lake and Mt. Makiling Development to address urgent
problems affecting the resources and to formulate a master plan for
the development of the lake and the reserve which are seen as
integrated ecosystems.

Places of interest

Makiling National Scout Reservation, a campsite at the foot of Mount

Makiling adjacent to U.P. Los Baos, which is being managed by the
Boy Scouts of the Philippines this is the site of the 10th World Scout
Jamboree in 1959 and 26th Asia-Pacific Regional Jamboree in 2009
and 2010.
Mud Springs, widely accepted albeit erroneously as the volcanic
crater of Mount Makiling
National Arts Center, a patch of land at the foot of Mount Makiling
adjacent to U.P. Los Baos, which is being managed by the Cultural
Center of the Philippines and the site of the Philippine High School for
the Arts, a special school for young artist scholars
Pook ni Maria Makiling, an eco-tourism site adjacent to the Jamboree
Site, National Arts Center and U.P. Los Baos
University of the Philippines, Los Baos
The CCF Mt. Makiling Recreation Center (known as MMRC), is a
Christian recreation camp and retreat center owned and operated by
CCF, located at Sto. Tomas, Batangas on the slopes of Mt. Makiling.
It is the prayer mountain and retreat center of Christ's Commission
Fellowship.

Geographical Features[edit]
Rivers and Creeks[edit]

Munting River, Sto Tomas, Batangas

Siam-Siam Creek, Calamba, Laguna

Sipit Creek, Calamba, Laguna
Pansipit Creek, Calamba, Laguna
Pansol Creek, Calamba, Laguna
Dampalit River, Los Baos, Laguna
Saran Creek, Los Baos, Laguna
Pili Creek, Los Baos, Laguna
Molawin Creek, Los Baos, Laguna
Maitim River, Bay, Laguna
Calo River, Bay, Laguna

Hiking activity
Mt. Makiling is a popular hiking destination. The two major trails begin
at the UPLB College of Forestry and Brgy. San Miguel, Sto. Tomas,
Batangas. The UPLB trail is more commonly used, taking 45 hours
to reach the summit (Peak 2). This trail was closed in October 2007
due to trail damage wrought by Typhoon Xangsane on September
2006. The trail was closed again in December 2012 after two
students were found drowned in a restricted area on the mountain. [5]
The trail was re-opened most recently in March 2013. [6] The second
trail, known as Maktrav, starts in Sto. Tomas. This route is more
difficult and requires 67 hours to reach the summit. Both trails are
generally established and safe, although throughout the years there
have been occasional reports of fatal accidents and injuries,
especially on the Sto. Tomas side. Climbers also frequently encounter
leeches along the way.[1]