Regional Cave Committee classifies caves in Region 8
This was disclosed by Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Executive Director Regidor M. De Leon who said that the purpose of the classification of each cave in the Region is to ascertain its ecological, archeological, historical, cultural and socio-economic values.
Other reasons are to determine its appropriate sustainable use; and to determine the appropriate strategies for conservation and use of the caves.
Like Palawan and other provinces in the country, Region 8 boasts of over a hundred beautiful and pristine caves. Some of these caves are already popular ecotourism destinations while some caves maybe subjected to some activities like guano extraction, bio prospecting or even treasure hunting, RED De Leon.
“While we promote the caves for ecotourism, we should also look at the other appropriate and sustainable use and management of the other caves in the region. Cave assessment and classification activity is necessary to determine appropriate sustainable use and conservation of caves, with due consideration to biodiversity, archeological, historical and socio-economic values,” RED De Leon stressed.
RED De Leon informed that the Regional Cave Committee was created in October 2008 pursuant to RA 9072. It is composed of the Regional Technical Director of the DENR’s Protected Areas Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service as Chairman, with the DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau as Co-Chairman.
The members are the representatives of the local government units where the caves are located; Department of Tourism; Department of Interior and Local Government; Department of Education; National Museum; National Historical Institute; the DENR; the Philippine National Police and a non-government organization which in the case of Region 8, is Bukid Outdoor Club.
R.A. 9072 defines caves as natural subterranean runway void or chamber or, series of chambers commonly produced by solution activity in limestone or dolomite formations. Underground openings in volcanic areas caused by lava flows are also classified as caves. In sedimentary rock areas, natural tunnels produced by pounding and washing away of waves in coastal areas or enlarged cracks brought by movements in rock masses are categorized as caves.
The RCC formed a special team, for an efficient classification activity, for carrying out the procedures in cave identification and assessment, Ms. Purificacion Daloos, the DENR Information Officer said.
The findings of the special team shall be reviewed by the RCC in determining the proper classes of caves. Class I includes caves with delicate and fragile geological and paleontological values and extremely hazardous conditions. Allowable use or activity for this class includes mapping, photography, educational and scientific purposes.
Class II includes areas or portions which have sections that are under hazardous conditions and contain sensitive geological, biological, archeological, cultural values.
Class III includes generally safe to inexperienced visitor. This cave has no known threatened species, archeological, geological, natural historical and cultural values. This cave may also be utilized for economic purposes.
The Protected Areas Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service conducted rapid assessment of the Candonicot Cave in Isabel, Leyte; RM Tan Cave in Ormoc City; Mag-aso Cave in Palompon, Leyte and the Cathedral Cave in Hindang, Leyte.
Meanwhile, a detailed assessment was made on the Gahoy Cave in Guiuan, Eastern Samar and Management Plan is being made for the Mag-aso Cave in Palompon, Leyte. Classification of these caves will be determined by the RCC. (PIA 8/DENR 
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