Filipino divers to assess underwater caves

CEBU, Philippines - A project that would be pioneered by the Filipino Cave Divers to assess the biodiversity in aquatic cave systems is eyed to possibly kick start the underwater cave tourism industry in the country.

FCD signed a contract last Thursday to take the lead in the project entitled as “Assessment of Terrestrial and Aquatic Biological Diversity in Selected Aquatic Cave Systems.”

 It is aimed to produce the best practices in the management, conservation, protection and rehabilitation of the targeted underwater cave systems and could be applied to other caves in the country that are yet to be explored.

 FCD president Bernil Gastardo said that the findings of the project will help stir up employment for the locals and open up more businesses in the area.

He said that the underwater cave tourism industry will include conducting educational tours, providing accommodation and logistical support to cave divers.

 He pointed out that cave diving may not be much known in the country but has been an established activity in other countries abroad.

 He said they received emails from foreign cave divers who want to explore caves in the Philippines and ask for assistance.

 Cebu currently has two known caves namely; the Casili Cave in Balamban and the Pawud Cave in Mactan. Gastardo said that there are also several caves in Bohol.

FCD, he said, is the only organization in the country that has the capacity and equipment to undertake underwater surveys.

The implementation of the cave assessments falls under the Protected Area Management Enhancement of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH and Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. PAME aims to declare 100 sites across the Philippines as protected areas.

 In this project, FCD shall also collaborate with the University of San Carlos–Biology Department after they signed a Memorandum of Understanding on November 28.

 DENR has also partnered with the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety for this project.

FCD shall conduct a rapid source assessment on four underwater cave systems including Casili Underwater Caves System in Balamban, Cebu.

Gastardo said that they have discovered a freshwater eel in the Casili Cave which is about a meter in size.

“Finding one here in Cebu is remarkable since the amount of freshwater eels in the country is not that substantial,” he said.

The three other underwater cave systems are the Silop Cave Complex in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, the Enchanted River Underwater Cave System in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur and the Bababu Lake Underwater Cave System in Basilisa, Dinagat Islands.

 “Depending on the outcome of the project, the four initial sites will be known globally as possible sites of endemic species and will attract more scientists, taxonomists and cave researchers,” Gastardo said.

 Aside from conducting the survey, FCD will also propose an ordinance that will promote the sustainability in managing these protected areas especially if they will become possible tourist spots. 

The implementation of the project will start on the second week of January next year until May 31, 2015. The entire project will be funded with P2.8 million by GIZ.

FCD currently has 19 members. Founded in 2012 by the late Dr. Alfonso Amores, it aims to explore, survey and protect underwater cave systems in the country.

The recent project was initially proposed by Amores two months before he died last June.

“We are just continuing the legacy he started,” Gastardo stated. (FREEMAN)