MAY 19, 2016

NR # 4205

House proposal to develop & conserve Capisaan Cave System in Nueva

Vizcaya nears Senate plenary approval
A House proposal to develop and conserve the countrys fifth largest cave system,
the Capisaan Cave System in the province of Nueva Vizcaya, is about to get Senate
plenary approval.
The floor approval of House Bill 4127, principally authored by House Deputy
Speaker and Nueva Vizcaya Lone District Rep. Carlos Padilla, had been endorsed by the
Senate committees on environment and natural resources chaired by Sen. Francis Chiz
Escudero, committee on tourism chaired by Sen. Manuel Lito Lapid, and committee on
finance chaired by Sen. Loren Legarda.
The three committees endorsed the plenary passage of the bill, with amendments, in
their joint committee report dated January 26, 2016. Escudero subsequently sponsored the
measure on the floor on January 27, 2016.
Padilla said the bill aims to improve local tourism in Nueva Vizcaya by highlighting
one of its wonders that is the Capisaan Cave. Immediate approval of the bill is sought in
view of the State policy to enhance tourism in aid of economic development, said Padilla.
The proposal mandates the preparation of a comprehensive development plan by
the Department of Tourism to include the construction, rehabilitation and installation of
appropriate facilities to manage the Capisaan Cave System while ensuring the
conservation and protection of its immediate environment, said Padilla.
Padilla said Capisaan Cave, considered the fifth largest cave system in the country,
is located some 700 to 900 meters above sea level. It is one of the attractions in Nueva
Vizcaya and is located in barangay Capisaan, Municipality of Kasibu.
Also known as the Lion-Alayan Cave, the Capisaan Cave System has two main
entry and exit points, which are the Lion and Alayan Caves.
Padilla said various cave enthusiasts have campaigned to bring the wonders of the
Capisaan Cave System to the attention of the international tourism community.
But despite numerous groups having visited the Capisaan Cave System, its
immense formations are untouched, and the cave system is still considered pristine and
intact. Aside from its formations, its forest cover is also home to various flora and fauna
that manage to effectively provide a perfect balance to the ecosystem, said Padilla.

The lawmaker said cave enthusiasts discovered the Capisaan Cave System when
they stumbled upon the cave in search for alternative tourist destinations after the Salinas
Salt Springs in Bambang town in Nueva Vizcaya were badly damaged during the 1990
killer earthquake.
As amended by the three Senate panels, House Bill 4127 seeks the creation of the
Capisaan Cave System Steering Council as an ecotourism governing body to ensure the
development and conservation of the Capisaan Cave System in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya,
and appropriating funds therefore.
The Council is composed of the following: Governor of Nueva Vizcaya or his/her
designated representative as chairperson; Regional Director of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for Region 2 or his/her designated
representative as co-chairperson; Regional Director of the Department of Tourism (DOT)
for Region 2 or his/her designated representative as vice-chairperson; Mayor of Kasibu
municipality or his/her representative as member; Barangay Chairperson of Barangay
Capisaan, Kasibu or his/her designated representative as member; Chairman of the
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) or his/her designated representative
as member; and A representative from a local non-government organization (NGO) or
local community organization duly accredited either by the DENR, DOT or LGU
operating in the Capisaan Cave System which has been existing for five years with track
records related to the protection, conservation and management of the area, as member.
Within three years after the approval of the Act, the Steering Council shall prepare a
Tourism Development Plan involving construction, installation and maintenance of such
appropriate facilities and infrastructure, in coordination with the LGUs and other
concerned government agencies, to enhance tourism in the area in consideration of the
classification of the Capisaan Cave System by the DENR, as provided in Republic Act
9072, also known as the National Caves and Cave Resources Management and
Protection Act. The development plan shall ensure the preservation and conservation of
the natural resources in the area.
The Steering Council shall determine a scheme of income and benefit sharing
among all parties involved in the development and conservation of the Capisaan Cave
System.
The Tourism Development Plan shall be incorporated in the National Tourism
Development Plan of the DOT pursuant to RA 9593, otherwise known as the The
Tourism Act of 2009. The DOT shall implement the plan that will suit the natural
characteristics of the Capisaan Cave System and shall also be responsible for the
promotion of the Capisaan Cave System as an ecotourism destination in all its national,
regional and local promotion programs.
Lastly, the funding for the implementation of the Tourism Development Plan shall
be sourced from internally generated funds of the DOT or will be included in the Annual
General Appropriations Act (GAA). (30) rbb