Exploration of Cebu City’s caves needs inventory, safety

Tour operators and mountaineering groups want caves in Cebu City identified for preservation and eco-tourism.

Michael Alfon, president of the Cebu Association of Tour Guides (CATO), said that his group was expanding their  activities to eco-tourism.

Local tours include trips to a cave in  Kalunasan  and another in Guadalupe, where a replica of the  image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is found.

“But cave exploration or spelunking has not been done (so far by our tour groups),” said Alfon.

Joel Cariño, head of the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines – Visayas chapter, said that aside from eco-tourism, some caves are designated for scientific study use while others are for conservation.

“I identify caves based on a careful survey and designation. If we just base this on what we see with our eyes, we risk damaging these resources,” he told the council in a public hearing  last Aug. 10 on a draft ordinance seeking to regulate caves in Cebu City.

Glenda Gabuya, head of the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC), said the city government has no data on  caves located in the city.

Only a few have been identified so far.

MORGA CAVE

The Morga Cave in the mountain barangay of Bonbon is a favorite for spelunkers, said Gabuya.

She said  a law prohibiting the destruction of caves is already provided in the National Cave Resources Management and Protection Act.

Violators face a fine of P20,000 to P500,000 and/or imprisonment from 2 years to 6 years.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is the main implementing agency of the law  in coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and local government units.

The draft ordinance of Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias proposes a fine of  P5,000 and/or imprisonment no exceeding one year.

Cave System

Gabuya said  the city government has to apply the  naional law’s penalty but if the city council approves its own ordinance, the main implementor should be the  City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro).

Cebu City had a rich cave system, which has not been properly surveyed yet.

“There are few  caves in Cebu City but there are cave systems where  caves  are interconnected with each other,” said Cariño.

Cariño said his group has explored the  Santohan cave in barangay Sudlon which is also connected to the Morga cave in the neighboring barangay of Bonbon.

Reports of a remote  cave in barangay Tagbaos still have to be verified.

They also surveyed three caves in other parts of Central Visayas.

“If we want to promote these caves, we should have a management system. We should train local guides and people should be taught to care for the caves,” he said.

Most cave violators are people just passing through and use the  caves as comfort rooms.

Caves often have water and are prone to flooding.

“We have to teach tour operators safety requirement in entering caves because it’s not just like a walk in the park,” he said.

Cariño said his group is willing to assist in making an inventory of caves and help train guides.

“We can also  assist in the proper management of caves, help in risk assessment and safety management,” he said.

“We observed during our trips that even locals are afraid to go into  these caves because of superstitious beliefs,” said Cariño.