CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 urged the public to help protect and conserve caves, which are home to specialized mineral formations.
Data from the Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone and Management Services show that about 145 caves have been recorded, discovered and mapped in Region 7, as of December 2013.
Eddie Llamedo, DENR-7 spokesperson said that of the 145 caves in the region, 38 of these are located in Cebu.
Out of 145, 39 were classified while 106 remain unclassified.
Of the classified caves, 16 belong to Class III, 15 to Class II and eight to Class I.
Caves protection and conservation is mandated under Republic Act 9072 or the National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act.
Under this law, local government units where these caves are situated, are tasked to formulate, develop and implement a national program for the management, protection and conservation of caves and its resources. The LGU should do this together with DENR, cave coordinating agencies, the National Museum, National Historical Institute and the Department of Tourism,
In a statement, DENR-7 said that caves under Class 1 are characterized with delicate and fragile geological formations and may be habitats of threatened species. These caves also provide archaeological values and possess extremely hazardous conditions.
Activities allowed in these caves are limited to mapping, photography and educational and scientific purposes.
Further, Class II caves have sensitive geologic values or high quality ecosystems that have 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.
While Class III caves are safe for inexperienced, yet guide-accompanied visitors since 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.
Upon classification, the statement added that DENR field offices oversee the preparation of a management plan on related ecotourism, 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 LGUs. (FREEMAN)