Lito de Veterbo Walks the Length of the Philippines to Champion Environmental Stewardship

 

After nearly five months of battling blistering heat, downpours, and rugged terrain, Lito de Veterbo arrived at Tinaca Beach in Glan, Sarangani Province, soaking wet yet triumphant. The journey’s rain-drenched finale, as he described it, felt bittersweet and melancholic but deeply fulfilling.

With that final step, De Veterbo became the first person ever to traverse the entire length of the Philippines on foot, from Maira-ira Point in Ilocos Norte to Tinaca Point in southern Mindanao.

Spanning 2,300 kilometers, his historic trek began at 8:58 AM on February 9, 2025, in Pagudpud and ended at 10:38 AM on July 6, 2025, in Batulaki, Glan. The endeavor marked the culmination of GP3: The Great Philippine P2P (Pagudpud to Point of Peace)—a national campaign rooted in environmental consciousness and an aspiration for Guinness World Records recognition.

De Veterbo’s feat earned official accolades from the local governments of General Santos City, Glan, and Sarangani Province. He paid courtesy visits to GenSan Mayor Lorelie Geronimo Pacquiao, Glan Mayor James Yap Sr., and Sarangani Governor Rogelio Pacquiao, signaling a shared commitment to sustainable action.

“As a mountaineer, I advocate low-impact, low-waste outdoor practices allowing us to protect the environment while enjoying the outdoors responsibly. Then, I asked why not hit the road and walk long distances to promote environmental awareness and outdoor ethics,” he shared.

Widely known as “Mr. LNT” (Leave No Trace), De Veterbo holds the distinction of being the country’s foremost advocate of LNT principles. As the only Filipino with Level II LNT certification, he trains future outdoor educators and spearheads sustainability efforts nationwide.

Since 2012, he has led workshops, developed educational materials, and mobilized the “Leave No Trace Caravan,” inspiring environmentally responsible practices across the archipelago.