PCSD RESOLUTION NO. 15-522
“APPROVING THE ADDITIONAL LIST OF IDENTIFIED, ASSESSED AND CLASSIFIED CAVES/KARST FORMATION (CAVE SYSTEM OR COMPLEXES) IN THE PROVINCE OF PALAWAN PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT 9072, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS NATIONAL CAVES AND CAVE RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION ACT OF 2001”
WHEREAS, on April 8, 2001 Republic Act No. 9072, otherwise known as the “National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act” was approved to carry out the national policy of conserving, protecting and managing the caves and caves resources as part of the country’s natural wealth;
WHEREAS, Section 4 thereof provides that in the Province of Palawan, the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) shall be the lead implementing agency pursuant to Republic Act No. 7611 or the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act;
WHEREAS, on September 12, 2003 PCSD issued Resolution No. 03-217 adopting the DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2003-29) “Implementing the Rules and Regulations of the National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act or RA no. 9072” and providing henceforth administrative order for a revised IRR applicable to the province of Palawan, and subsequently promulgated Administrative Order No. 03-08;
WHEREAS, in 2007, the DENR issued Memorandum Circular No. 2007-04 prescribing and adopting Manual on Cave Classification for all caves within public domain and private lands, including those found within the protected areas,
WHEREAS, the PCSD formulated its Manual on Cave Classification adopting the DENR Memorandum Circular No. 2007-04 and prescribing the following classes of caves in the province of Palawan:
Class I. Caves with delicate and fragile geological formations, threatened species, archaeological and paleontological values, and extremely hazardous conditions. Allowable use may include mapping, photography, educational and scientific purposes.
Class II. Caves with areas or portions which have sections that have hazardous conditions and contain sensitive geological, archaeological, cultural, historical and biological values or high quality ecosystem. It may be necessary to close sections of these caves seasonally or permanently. It is shall be opened to experienced cavers or guided educational tours/visits.
Class III. Caves generally safe to inexperienced visitors with no known threatened species and archaeological, geological, natural history, cultural and historical values. The caves may also be utilized for economic purposes such as guano extraction and edible birds’ nest collection.
WHEREAS, in 2012, a group of experts from the National Museum of the Philippines conducted a project in Palawan or the Palawan Island Palaeohistoric Research Project with the support and assistance from the University of the Philippines (UP), the UP Foundation Inc., officers of local government units of Palawan, PCSDS and other international organizations.
WHEREAS, one of the activities under the above-mentioned project is the archaeological assessment in cave sites, which assessment has contributed to the identification and classification of caves in different municipalities in Palawan;
WHEREAS, in September 2014, the PCSD cave assessment team, together with experts from Palawan State University (PSU) and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) conducted caves identification, assessment, survey and mapping in the province;
WHEREAS, the primary objective for the classification of caves is to conserve, protect and manage the natural wealth and heritage of caves and the resources found therein;
WHEREAS, after the assessment, the team has identified, assessed and classified caves in Palawan, to wit:
|
CLASSIFICATION |
NAME OF CAVES/CAVE SYSTEM |
LOCATION |
MAJOR APPROPRIATE USES |
MUNICIPALITY |
| CLASS I | ||||
| ILLE Cave | “Ille Tower Karst”, Bgy. New Ibajay | Archaeological, paleontological and cultural studies | El Nido | |
| PASIMBAHAN Cave | “Pasimbahan-Magsanib Site”, Bgy. New Ibajay | Archaeological, paleontological and cultural studies | El Nido | |
| MAULOHIN Cave (IV-2007-L) | Imorigue Island Karst”, Imorigue Island, Bgy. New Ibajay | Archaeological, paleontological and cultural studies. | El Nido | |
| ISTAR CAIRN (Cave3:IV-2007-M) | Bgy. New Ibajay | Archaeological, paleontological and cultural studies. | El Nido
|
|
| CLASS II | ||||
| TINAGUSAN BAT Cave | “Taraw Caves System”, Batas Island, Bgy. Batas | Guided educational tours/visits and Research/scientific studies | Taytay | |
| LIYANG Cave | Dondonay Island, Bgy. Talaga | Bat Chamber (Stations 29,30,31,32&33) and Left Maze passages (Stations 15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22&23) – limited to Archeaological, Scientific studies and guided educational tours only. | Cagayancillo
2 Sub-Classes: * Class II |
|
| NIPAY Cave | Sitio Nipay, Bgy. Talaga | Guided educational tours and religious purpose only. | Cagayancillo | |
| CLASS III | ||||
| SABANG-SAMALAGUE Cave | “Taraw Caves System”, Batas Island, Bgy. Batas | For economic purposes – Limited to Ecotourism | Taytay | |
| MUTALPOT Cave | “Pavillon Caves System”, Pavillon Grande, Elephant Island, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes – Limited to collection of Edible birds Nest (EBN) only. *Potential Ecotourism site (whole Karst island) | Taytay | |
| MARGARITA Cave | “Pavillon Caves System”, Pavillon Pequeno, Castle Island, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes – Limited to collection of Edible birds Nest (EBN) only. *Potential Ecotourism site (whole Karst island) | Taytay | |
| PAVILLON GRANDE Caves | “Pavillon Grande Cave Complex”, Castle Island, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Taytay | |
| PAVILLON PEQUENO Caves | “Pavillon Grande Cave Complex”, Castle Island, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Taytay | |
| PANGALAN Caves | “Pangalan Island Karst”, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Taytay | |
| NABAT Caves | “Nabat Island Karst”, Nabat Island, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Taytay | |
| APULIT Caves | “Apulit Island Karst”, Apulit Island, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Taytay | |
| TALAKANEN Caves | “Talakanen Island Karst”, Talakanen Island, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Taytay | |
| TARAW Caves | “Taraw Rock Complex”, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Taytay | |
| LIYANG Cave | For economic purposes – (Other chambers/passages) – Limited to Ecotourism purposes only. | Cagayancillo | ||
|
PANANDANAN Cave |
So. Amamagus, Bgy. Tabon | Potential Ecotourism site and Research site. | Quezon | |
| LION Cave | Bgy. Cabayugan | Potential as Museum site and Ecotourism site | PPC | |
| HUNDRED Cave | Bgy. Tagabinet | Ecotourism site, Rock climbing site, Bird watching site and zipline | PPC | |
| PAKALSADA & PIET Rock Cave | “Makangit Karst Formations”, Bgy. New Ibajay | For economic purposes-Llimited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | El Nido | |
| BIG MAKANGIT Cave | Bgy. New Ibajay | For economic purposes- Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | El Nido | |
| SMALL MAKANGIT Cave | Bgy. New Ibajay | For economic purposes- Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | El Nido | |
| PATI Rock Cave | Bgy. New Ibajay | For economic purposes- Limited to Edible birds Nest collection only. | El Nido | |
| ISTAR/STAR Caves | “Star Cave Complex”, Bgy. New Ibajay | For economic purposes- Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | El Nido | |
| DIRIBUNGAN Caves | “Diribungan Cave Complex”, Bgy. New Ibajay | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | El Nido | |
| MINILOC Caves | “Miniloc Island Karst Formation”, Bgy. Bebeladan | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | El Nido |
WHEREAS, considering the above-classified caves, there is a need to update the list of identified, assessed and classified caves/karst formation (cave system or complexes) in the province of Palawan in order to ensure the conservation, protection and management of caves and cave resources in the province of Palawan;
WHEREAS, the updated list of caves will serve as a guide for concerned government agencies, scientific authorities and NGOs, among others, in the implementation of caves and cave resources conservation and protection programs;
WHEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and on motion duly seconded, the Council resolves to approve, as it is hereby APPROVED, the “Additional List of Identified, Assessed and Classified Caves/Karst Formation (Cave System or Complexes) in the Province of Palawan”;
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the classification of caves shall be a continuing process until such time that all caves in the province of Palawan shall be classified and additional list of classified caves shall be issued on a yearly basis pursuant to PCSD Administrative Order No. 03-08 and PCSD Manual on Cave Classification;
RESOLVED FURTHERMORE, that a cave management plan shall be prepared for each classified cave, which plan shall include monitoring and reclassification of classified caves and a provision that all ecotourism, scientific, educational and economic activities, whenever allowed, must be guided by concerned PCSD staff,
RESOLVED FINALLY, that copies of this resolution be furnished the DENR, DA and other concerned agencies for their information and guidance and be filed with the Office of the National Administrative Registrar at the UP Law Center for publication in accordance with existing rules.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 26th day of February 2015 in Puerto Princesa City.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
I hereby certify that the above-quoted resolution has been duly adopted by the PCSD on the 26th day of February 2015.
NELSON P. DEVANADERA
Executive Director/Secretary
ATTESTED BY:
VICTORINO DENNIS M. SOCRATES
Presiding Officer
Vice-Chairman, PCSD
2012-2014 PCSDS LIST OF IDENTIFIED, ASSESSED AND CLASSIFIED CAVES/KARST FORMATION (CAVE SYSTEM OR COMPLEXES) IN THE PROVINCE OF PALAWAN
Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9072 (National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act), PCSD Administrative Order No. 03-08 Implementing PCSD Resolution No. 03-217, Adopting and Revising the DENR Rules and Regulations of the National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act as Applicable in the Province of Palawan, and PCSD Manual on Cave Classification, the following caves/karst formation (cave system or complexes) classified do hereby presented, issued for the guidance of all concerned and council’s approval:
Section 1. Objective. The primary purpose for the classification of the subject caves is to conserve, protect and manage the natural wealth and heritage of caves and the resources found therein.
Section 2. Cave Classification. PCSD Manual on Cave Classification prescribes the following classes of caves in the province of Palawan:
Class I. Caves with delicate and fragile geological formations, threatened species,
Archaeological and paleontological values, and extremely hazardous conditions. Allowable use may include mapping, photography, educational and scientific purposes.
Class II. Caves with areas or portions which have sections that have hazardous conditions and contain sensitive geological, archaeological, cultural, historical and biological values or high quality ecosystem. It may be necessary to close sections of these caves seasonally or permanently. It is shall be opened to experienced cavers or guided educational tours/visits.
Class III. Caves generally safe to inexperienced visitors with no known threatened species and archaeological, geological, natural history, cultural and historical values. The caves may also be utilized for economic purposes such as guano extraction and edible birds’ nest collection.
Section 3. List of Classified Caves
| MUNICIPALITY/CITY | NAME OF CAVES/CAVE SYSTEM | LOCATION | MAJOR APPROPRIATE USES | CLASSIFI-CATION |
| TAYTAY | ||||
| SABANG-SAMALAGUE Cave | “Taraw Caves System”, Batas Island, Bgy. Batas | For economic purposes – Limited to Ecotourism | Class III | |
| TINAGUSAN BAT Cave | “Taraw Caves System”, Batas Island, Bgy. Batas | Guided educational tours/visits and Research/scientific studies | Class II | |
| MUTALPOT Cave | “Pavillon Caves System”, Pavillon Grande, Elephant Island, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes – Limited to collection of Edible birds Nest (EBN) only. *Potential Ecotourism site (whole Karst island) |
Class III
|
|
| MARGARITA Cave | “Pavillon Caves System”, Pavillon Pequeno, Castle Island, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes – Limited to collection of Edible birds Nest (EBN) only. *Potential Ecotourism site (whole Karst island) | Class III | |
| PAVILLON GRANDE Caves | “Pavillon Grande Cave Complex”, Castle Island, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Class III | |
| PAVILLON PEQUENO Caves | “Pavillon Grande Cave Complex”, Castle Island, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Class III | |
| PANGALAN Caves | “Pangalan Island Karst”, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Class III | |
| NABAT Caves | “Nabat Island Karst”, Nabat Island, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Class III | |
| APULIT Caves | “Apulit Island Karst”, Apulit Island, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Class III | |
| TALAKANEN Caves | “Talakanen Island Karst”, Talakanen Island, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Class III | |
| TARAW Caves | “Taraw Rock Complex”, Bgy. Maytegued | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Class III | |
| CAGAYANCILLO | ||||
| LIYANG Cave | Dondonay Island, Bgy. Talaga | Bat Chamber (Stations 29,30,31,32&33) and Left Maze passages (Stations 15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22&23) – limited to Archeaological, Scientific studies and guided educational tours only. | 2 Sub-Classes: * Class II | |
| For economic purposes – (Other chambers/passages) – Limited to Ecotourism purposes only. | * Class III | |||
| NIPAY Cave | Sitio Nipay, Bgy. Talaga | Guided educational tours and religious purpose only. | Class II | |
| QUEZON | ||||
| PANANDANAN Cave | So. Amamagus, Bgy. Tabon | Potential Ecotourism site and Research site. | Class III | |
| PUERTO PRINCESA CITY | ||||
| LION Cave | Bgy. Cabayugan | Potential as Museum site and Ecotourism site | Class III | |
| HUNDRED Cave | Bgy. Tagabinet | Ecotourism site, Rock climbing site, Bird watching site and zipline | Class III | |
| EL NIDO | ||||
| ILLE Cave | “Ille Tower Karst”, Bgy. New Ibajay | Archaeological, paleontological and cultural studies | Class I | |
| PASIMBAHAN Cave | “Pasimbahan-Magsanib Site”, Bgy. New Ibajay | Archaeological, paleontological and cultural studies | Class I | |
| MAULOHIN Cave (IV-2007-L) | Imorigue Island Karst”, Imorigue Island, Bgy. New Ibajay | Archaeological, paleontological and cultural studies. | Class I | |
| ISTAR CAIRN (Cave3:IV-2007-M) | Bgy. New Ibajay | Archaeological, paleontological and cultural studies. | Class I | |
| PAKALSADA & PIET Rock Cave | “Makangit Karst Formations”, Bgy. New Ibajay | For economic purposes-Llimited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Class III | |
| BIG MAKANGIT Cave | Bgy. New Ibajay | For economic purposes- Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Class III | |
| SMALL MAKANGIT Cave | Bgy. New Ibajay | For economic purposes- Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Class III | |
| PATI Rock Cave | Bgy. New Ibajay | For economic purposes- Limited to Edible birds Nest collection only. | Class III | |
| ISTAR/STAR Caves | “Star Cave Complex”, Bgy. New Ibajay | For economic purposes- Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Class III | |
| DIRIBUNGAN Caves | “Diribungan Cave Complex”, Bgy. New Ibajay | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Class III | |
| MINILOC Caves | “Miniloc Island Karst Formation”, Bgy. Bebeladan | For economic purposes-Limited to Edible Birds Nest collection only. | Class III |
Section 4. Cave Activities. The classification of caves shall be a continuing process until such time that the caves in the province of Palawan shall be classified. Additional list of classified caves shall be issued on a yearly basis pursuant to PCSD Administrative Order No. 03-08 and PCSD Manual on Cave Classification.
A cave management plan shall be prepared for each classified cave, provided that all ecotourism, scientific, educational and economic activities, whenever allowed, must be guided by concerned PCSD staff. The said management plan shall include monitoring and reclassification of classified caves.
Section 5. Effectivity. This Resolution shall be circulated for the guidance of all concerned. Any provisions of previous resolutions, memoranda and other issuances inconsistent herewith are hereby amended, superseded or repealed accordingly.
SO ORDERED.
This 26th day of February 2015 in Puerto Princesa City.
APPROVED:
VICTORINO DENNIS M. SOCRATES
Presiding Officer
Vice-Chairman, PCSD
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