Mabini caves are eco-tourism spots
PANGASINAN, known for its beaches, the Hundred Islands and pilgrimage site Manaoag, could also soon become popular as a spelunking destination with the promotion of the caves in Mabini town for eco-tourism.
The local government of Mabini recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service (PAWCZMS) for the co-management of the municipality’s several cave systems.
The partnership, according to PAWCZMS OIC-Regional Director Policarpio Najera, is part of the regional office’s efforts to strengthen the protection and promotion of caves and cave resources in the Region 1 provinces.
A non-government organization based in Mabini, the Balincaguin Conservancy, is also actively pursuing the promotion of the caves.
Cacupangan is the most popular cave in Mabini, a landlocked town in the western part of Pangasinan.
Its other caves are the Binmatya, Ara-saas, and Sto. Rosario.
Aside from Mabini, caves are also found in the nearby towns of Bani and Sison.
The MOA between PAWCZMS and Mabini comes after a cave assessment program in Region I, which started in 1994 and was strengthened through the enactment of Republic Act No. 9072, the ‘National Caves and Cave Resource Management and Protection Act of 2001”, and Department Administrative Order No. 29 series of 2003.
Najera said of the more than 150 caves in the region, about 60 caves have already been assessed and 25 were classified. (PIA-Pangasinan/ V.H. Sarmiento)
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