Philippine caves under constant threat from human activities

Manila: Caves in the Philippines are under constant threat from human activities and, for this reason, the environment department has placed more of these natural structures under its protected list.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued a new list of 158 caves classified as “protected”, bringing to a total 234 the number of these natural structures under the protection, conservation and management of the government.

“Caves are natural, non-renewable resources that are of tremendous value to man, whether scientific, economic, cultural, historical or aesthetic. Yet they are also in constant threat from destructive human activities like vandalism, treasure hunting, pollution and illegal extraction of resources. Classifying them will therefore guide us in identifying strategies to protect, conserve and manage the resources within and around them,” DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said.

The Philippines is an archipelago and has a rich and diverse geological and biological make up.

The new list was contained in DENR Memorandum Circular (MC) No 2012-03 issued pursuant to Republic Act 9072 or the National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act, and MC 2007-04, which prescribes three classifications for caves in the Philippines.

The 158 caves listed in the directive covered all regions except the National Capital Region and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. Western Visayas reported the highest number of total assessed caves at 41, followed by Ilocos at 25.

At the provincial level, Pangasinan has the most number of caves at 18, followed by Iloilo at 17.

Twenty-two caves had been categorised under “Class I”, or those with “delicate and fragile geological formations, threatened species, archaeological and paleontological values, and extremely hazardous conditions”. Only activities for mapping, photography, educational and scientific purposes are allowed within these caves. Included in the list of Class I caves are two segments of the Capisaan Cave System in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya and the Kwebang Puti in Cavinti, Laguna.

A total of 96 caves, distributed throughout the country but mostly in Ilocos and Western Visayas, were categorised as “Class II”. This describes caves with areas that have “hazardous conditions and contain sensitive geological, archaeological, cultural, historical and biological values or high quality ecosystems”.

“Such caves are open to experienced spelunkers or caving enthusiasts and guided visits, although some portions may be closed seasonally or permanently for conservation purposes. The Callao Cave in Peñablanca, Cagayan and the Bat Cave in Boracay Island are listed as such,” Paje said.

Forty caves were listed as “Class III” caves, which are “generally safe” for inexperienced visitors. They have no known threatened species within, nor any archaeological, geological, historical or cultural values. Economic activities, such as acollection of guano and edible birds’ nest, are allowed in such caves.

The Class III caves list includes the Bat Cave in Peñablanca, Cagayan, the Crystal Cave in Boracay Island, and the Bandera Caves in the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte.

According to the DENR, cave classification is a continuing process undertaken by its Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB).

The PAWB has recorded at least 1,756 caves since the DENR’s Caves Management and Conservation Programme was implemented in 1994.