Mount Cabuyao (alternatively spelled as Mount Kabuyao) is a mountain in the Philippines located in the municipality of Tuba in the province of Benguet. Its summit, rising to more than 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) above sea level,[1][2] overlooks the city of Baguio. It is commonly mistaken as Mount Santo Tomas, a taller mountain just beside it.[1]

Mount Cabuyao
Mount Kabuyao
Mount Cabuyao with the landmark two satellite dishes on its summit
Highest point
Elevation2,025 m (6,644 ft)[1]
Prominence84 m (276 ft)
Coordinates16°21′23″N 120°33′32.8″E / 16.35639°N 120.559111°E / 16.35639; 120.559111
Geography
Mount Cabuyao is located in Luzon
Mount Cabuyao
Mount Cabuyao
Mount Cabuyao is located in Philippines
Mount Cabuyao
Mount Cabuyao
CountryPhilippines
RegionCordillera Administrative Region
ProvinceBenguet
City/municipalityTuba
Parent rangeCordillera Central
Climbing
Easiest routeHike

Due to its high elevation, several communications companies constructed relay stations and radars at the summit.[3] A private observatory and AA radar station, once operated by the US Armed Forces stationed in the country, is also located here. A water catchment area was constructed to supply water to the City of Baguio and nearby towns. A small community of farmers live at the top of the mountain.[4] A town hall and a school was built for them by the local government.

Tourism

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Baguio as viewed from the mountain

Currently, no tourists are allowed to visit the mountain forest reserve because of the Permanent Environment Protection Order issued by the Court of Appeals on May 5, 2015.[5]

Previously, the two large satellite dishes at its summit have become a landmark for Baguio.[1][6] The summit is also a good vantage point. During fair weather, one can see the whole City of Baguio to the east and could partially see the province of Pangasinan to the west. On a clear day, one can observe moving cargo ships passing by the South China Sea.

Hikers climb the mountain occasionally for recreational purposes.[1] Biking is also popular.[2]

Forest cover

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The mountain forest is part of the protected Mount Santo Tomas watershed, which supplies water to areas near the Ben Palispis Highway and other parts of Tuba.[7] In September 2014, the Supreme Court of the Philippines ordered the temporary ceasing of development projects in a disputed area covering the forest reserve.[8][9] [10] The affected area, which has been heavily deforested, was to be developed into an eco-tourism park, as planned by Baguio Representative Nicasio Aliping Jr.[7][8][9][10][11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Mt. Cabuyao (2,025 ) / Mt. Sto. Tomas (2,256 )". Pinoy Mountaineer. April 19, 2008. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  2. ^ a b Tupaz, Voltaire (May 6, 2012). "Bikers race to raise funds for Cordillera forests". Rappler. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  3. ^ "List of Field Stations, Northern Luzon PRSD". PAGASA. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  4. ^ "La Trinidad mayor wants more farmers to engage in strawberry production". DWDD (1134 kHz Metro Manila). March 5, 2014. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  5. ^ Agoot, Liza (March 13, 2019). "Task force tightens security at Benguet forest reserve". Archived from the original on March 17, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  6. ^ "Mt. Cabuyao Troposcatter Dishes". Vista Pinas. July 11, 2010. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  7. ^ a b Lacsamana, Hanna (June 1, 2014). "Mt Kabuyao diggings seen to defile springs". Baguio Midland Courier. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  8. ^ a b Aning, Jerome (September 30, 2014). "SC stops activities in Mt. Santo Tomas forest". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  9. ^ a b Merueñas, Mark (September 30, 2014). "SC stops road project in Benguet for now". GMA News. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  10. ^ a b "Seeing The Damage Done In Cabuyao/Sto. Tomas Is Shocking: And That's Putting It Mildly". Cordillera Sun. July 16, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  11. ^ Fontanilla, Giovani Joy (August 31, 2014). "Chronicling Kabuyao's destruction". Sun.Star Baguio. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
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