LAAK, Compostela Valley (July 31) — The Municipal Government will open the the town’s caves to tourists and spelunkers to accommodate tourists who want to experience nature’s wonders.
Laak Municipal Mayor Antonio Libuangan said the town has more than a hundred caves which the tourist could explore. He is planning to open the caving festival to the people from the entire Davao region so that everyone will be able to witness the town’s natural attraction.
He however underscored the need for conservation management and protection from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to sustain the beauty of the more than hundred caves in the municipality. The municipal government will also open access roads to the cave sites.
The the town is positioning itself as the ‘Cave Capital’ in the region, and the campaign is supported by the Department of Tourism and the DENR.
Cecile Claros, barangay captain of Sto. Niño, said spelunking will help not just the barangay but also the Indigenous Peoples community and land owners. She assured that environment protection will be a top priority, citing an ordinance passed by the barangay council for the protection of the caves. Part of the ordinance is the prohibition of cutting trees within the 500-radius of the cave areas and promoting waste segregation. (Armando B. Fenequito Jr. / NewsLine)