MOA for caves management ok’d

TO ensure that caves are preserved, developed, and managed, the 20th City Council, presided over by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, enacted an ordinance authorizing City Mayor Rolando A. Uy to enter into and sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region 10 (DENR) to co-manage four (4) caves located in the city.

Under the MOA, the DENR will regulate the collection and removal of cave resources from Kweba de Oro and Macahambus Cave in Bayanga, Langag Cave in Dansolihon, and Mambuaya Crystal Cave, which are classified as Class II caves based on DENR Memorandum Circular 2012-03.

Being the lead agency commissioned to enforce Republic Act No. 9072, otherwise known as the ‘Cave Act’, it shall also provide training and technical assistance to the Local Government of Cagayan de Oro to monitor and oversee the effective implementation of the cave management plan.

For its part, the City shall enact necessary ordinances and provide manpower and financial resources for the protection, conservation, and management of the caves, with the City Environment and Natural Officer assuming the tasks and functions of the agreement.

The City will also integrate the cave management plan in the land use, investment, and revenue plans of the city especially on agriculture and nature-based ecotourism ventures, while ensuring that the locals are provided livelihood assistance by hiring them as porters, guides, and maintenance workers.

The legislation was sponsored by the Committee on Environment chaired by Councilor Roger G. Abaday.