Trekkers eyeing a visit to Tinagong Dagat, one of Negros Occidental’s most sought-after natural attractions, have a narrow window to do so as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) opens the site to hikers from January 22 to February 15, ahead of a temporary closure starting February 16.
The closure, according to the DENR, is part of a comprehensive effort to assess environmental impact and tighten trekking regulations within the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP), where the seasonal wetland is located.
In an advisory, Protected Area Superintendent Ma. Gina Consolacion Gerangaya said applications for mountaineering permits to Danao/Tinagong Dagat will be processed at the NNNP-Protected Area Management Office satellite site at the DENR compound in Barangay 39, Bacolod City.
Gerangaya said both individual trekkers and organized groups may apply.
“Tinagong Dagat shall be placed under temporary closure effective February 16, 2026, to facilitate environmental impact monitoring and assessment, as well as the review, enhancement, and rationalization of existing trekking policy guidelines,” she said, adding that the site will remain closed until further notice.
Located within Mount Mandalagan in Silay City, Tinagong Dagat is a seasonal wetland formed from an ancient volcanic crater, long regarded as a major trekking destination in Negros Occidental.
During the wet season (June to December), rainfall fills the crater, transforming it into a lake. In contrast, the dry months (December to May) reveal expansive grasslands, making the area ideal for trekking and camping.
The DENR noted that the dry season remains the best period for access, particularly for visitors seeking safer and less restrictive trekking conditions.
The Northern Negros Natural Park, one of the province’s largest protected landscapes, spans 70,826.16 hectares and covers 11 local government units, including the cities of Talisay, Silay, Victorias, Cadiz, Sagay, and San Carlos, and the municipalities of E.B. Magalona, Toboso, Calatrava, Salvador Benedicto, and Murcia.
Environmental officials reiterated that the temporary closure aims to balance eco-tourism and conservation, ensuring long-term protection of Tinagong Dagat and the broader NNNP ecosystem.IMT
