Tourism in the Philippines rising form of tourism in the Philippines, especially among locals and Western foreigners. Among the most famous hiking areas in the country are Mount Apo, Mount Pinatubo, Mount Halcon, Mount Banahaw, Mount Makiling, and Mount Pulag. Due to the diverse number of flora and fauna of the country, researchers from around the world have flocked various biodiversity sites in Philippine environmental corridors. Among the big draws for environmental researchers include Mount Mantalingajan, Sibuyan Island, Dinagat Islands, Mount Hamiguitan, Central Panay Mountain Range, Verde Island Passage, Tubbataha Reef, Mount Malindang, Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, and Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi. Local and
Mount Apo is said to be named after a nobleman named Apong, who was killed while mediating the battle between two suitors of his daughter Saribu. Apo is various local languages mean "grandfather", "master", "grandson", and "wise elder". On May 9, 1936, Mount Apo was declared a national park with "Proclamation No. 59" by President Manuel L. Quezon, followed by "Proclamation No. 35" of May 8, 1966, then "Proclamation No. 882" of September 24, 1996. On February 3, 2004, the approval of "Republic Act No. 9237" established Mount Apo as a protected area under the category of "natural park" with an area