DENR declares Sohoton and Calbiga as class II caves

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
May 10, 2013

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has classified as class II caves the Langun-Gobingob Caves in Calbiga, Samar and the Sohoton Caves in Basey, Samar.

DENR Regional Executive Director Manolito Ragub said this is in line with the Agency’s bid to protect, conserve and manage the resources within and outside the caves, as provided for by DENR Memorandum Circular 2012-03 pursuant to Republic Act No. 9072 otherwise known as the National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act.

RED Ragub said that Langun-Gobingob and Sohoton Caves shall be under the administrative jurisdiction of the DENR in coordination with the Department of Tourism, National Museum of the Philippines, National Historical Institute, municipal local government of Calbiga and Basey, Samar, stakeholders from the academe, Non-Government Organizations, and other government agencies.

“However, the DENR may opt to delegate the management of the caves to the LGUs, or other interested parties consistent with the Public Private Partnership policy of the Aquino Administration,” RED Ragub said.

RED Ragub informed that Class II caves have “hazardous conditions and contain sensitive geological, archaeological, cultural, historical and biological values or high quality eco-systems. 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.

Class I caves, on the other hand, are 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 in these caves.

Meanwhile, Class III caves are generally safe for inexperienced visitors, with no known threatened species living in them, nor any archaeological, geological, historical and cultural values. Economic activities such as collection of guano and edible birds’ nests, are allowed in these caves.

Moreover, it was learned that pursuant to RA 9072, a management plan is being prepared for each cave to consider all ecotourism, scientific, educational and economic activities, as well as monitoring and reclassification in the areas.