Balincaguin Conservancy Grotto

15 July 2009 – A networking website, www.rcc-r1.org, has been launched to promote interaction among the members of DENR-Region 1’s Regional Cave Committee (RCC). This website will provide an interactive platform for the RCC members to share and exchange ideas. The public can use the website to learn about caves in Region 1 and to report new cave needing assessments. BC was the first to contribution cave photos and articles followed by LGU-Pasuquin, LGU-Pagudpud and LGU-Bani. The other members are encouraged to submit content to showcase the caves in their respective areas.

The Regional Cave Committee for Region 1 (RCC-R1) was formally organized, pursuant to DAO 2003-29, the IRR for R.A. 9072, also known as the Caves Act, on 25-26 Mar 2008 at the Sea and Sky Hotel in San Fernando City, La Union. It has reviewed the existing classification of the caves and has listed 23 caves in the region: 3 within the jurisdiction of CENRO-Bangui and 20 for CENRO-Alaminos City.

A point of interest is caves were only listed in the extremes of the region, i.e. northern Ilocos Norte and western Pangasinan. Surely there must be caves in Ilocos Sur and La Union; they just have not been reported.

During RCC-R1’s recent Seminar and Workshop on 29 June-1 July 2009 at Treasures of Bolinao Resort, Bolinao, Pangasinan, the members reported more caves bring the total to over 80 caves in Region 1 and have requested recommended the priorities for the assessment or re-assessment of these caves. The recommendations will be consolidated by Regional Technical Director Lorenzo C. Agaloos into an action plan for RCC-R1.

BC has recommended by CENRO-Alaminos City as the Technical Consultant for its Cave Assessment Team and has been invited to assist in the assessment of the caves in Ilocos Norte.

By Jerry Rendon
BC Advisor