More caves off limits to adventurers
MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-one more caves around the country have been declared off-limits to tourists and spelunkers in order to preserve their scientific and cultural value, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said Wednesday.
The agency has classified an additional 206 caves, bringing to 364 the number of caves now considered part of the nation’s natural wealth and therefore requiring sustainable management and conservation.
Of the 206 newly classified caves, 21 were categorized as “Class 1,” meaning they “are characterized with delicate and fragile geological formations, may be habitats of threatened species, provide archaeological values, and possess extremely hazardous conditions.”
“As such, activities allowed in these caves are limited to mapping, photography, educational and scientific purposes,” the DENR said in a news release.
Among the new Class I caves are the Masi Cave in Adams, Ilocos Norte, the Pagulayan Cave within the Peñablanca Protected Landscape in Cagayan, and the Santol Cave in the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte.
The classification of caves, according to Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, is pursuant to the National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act, which mandates the formulation, development and implementation of a national program to protect and manage caves and cave resources.
“Caves are non-renewable resources with unique, natural features that offer significant scientific, educational, economic and aesthetic value and form part of our historical and cultural heritage,” Paje said.
He said caves could also be used for enjoyment, “but only to a certain extent.”
“Classifying caves accordingly will thus help define which human activities are allowed within these areas so that we can preserve them in their pristine state, or improve them if necessary,” Paje said.
Under DENR Memorandum Circular 2014-03, the newly classified caves are found in 11 regions, with Region 2 having the most caves with 101, followed by Region 11 with 30 caves.
By province, Cagayan has the most of caves with 83, followed by Davao del Norte with 18.
There are two other classes of caves: Class II and III.
Class II caves have “sensitive geologic values or high quality ecosystems, as well as portions with hazardous conditions.”
“As such, they may be closed seasonally or permanently, or may be open only to experienced cavers or guided educational tours,” the DENR said. The famous Sohoton Cave in the Samar Island Natural Park is one of 154 Class II caves identified in the circular.
Class III caves, on the other hand, are safe for inexperienced yet guide-accompanied visitors, as these do not contain known threatened species or geological or historical values.
“These caves may also be utilized when appropriate for economic purposes such as extraction of guano (bat waste) and collection of edible bird nests,” the DENR said.
There are 30 such caves under the new list, among them the Aglipay Cave 5 in the Quirino Protected Landscape, and the Mat-i Cave 2 in Baganga, Davao Oriental.
Classification of caves is continuously undertaken by the DENR.
The new list, however, includes 86 caves, mostly located in Cagayan province, that were assessed and classified by the National Museum for their archaeological or historical value, and 15 in Palawan province by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development.
Upon classification, the DENR field offices oversee the preparation of a management plan on related ecological tourism, scientific, educational and economic activities.
The approved plan is implemented by the Protected Area Management Board for caves within protected areas, or in coordination with the concerned local government unit and landowner for those outside protected areas.
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