Department of Environment and Natural Resources Document ID

Revision No. 0
PROCEDURE
Date Issued
REQUEST FOR CAVE ASSESSMENT AND
CLASSIFICATION OF CAVES WITHIN Page No. 1
PROTECTED AREAS
Originator: Reviewed by: Approved by:
Conservation and CENR Officer Regional Executive Director
Development Section

1. PURPOSE:

This procedure intends to define the controls needed to ensure the process of cave assessment shall be
in accordance to the guidelines stipulated under Republic Act 9072 “National Caves and Cave
Resources Management and Protection Act” and to follow the procedure for Cave Classification in
accordance to DENR Memorandum Circular 2007-04.

2. EXPECTED OUTPUT:

By implementing the controls defined in the procedure, the following specific outputs are
expected:

2.1Timely response of the request;

2.2 Cave Assessment is scheduled and requesting party informed;
2.3 Detailed Cave Assessment report is prepared within the specific timeframe;
2.4 Timely presentation and approval of cave classification during the Regional Cave
Committee (RCC) meeting

3. SCOPE:

This procedure covers the activities covers only the conduct of Detailed Cave Assessment and
Classification of requested cave.

4. DEFINITION OF TERMS:

4.1 Cave Assessment  A comprehensive data gathering and inventory of cave

resources that shall be accomplished at the site level

4.2 Cave Classification  An entire process of assessing and determining the

appropriate sustainable use of caves with due
consideration to biodiversity, archeological, historical,
cultural, and potential socio-economic values

4.3 Cave  Any naturally occurring void, cavity, recess or system

of interconnected passages beneath the surface of the
earth. It shall include any natural pit, sinkhole or other
feature, which is an extension of the entrance

5. RESPONSIBILITIES

The requesting party:

 Provide the specific details of the location of the cave like location map and history
 Provide logistics to DENR Regional/CENRO Cave Assessment Team
 Provide LGU technical personnel to join the assessment of cave.
 Present the result of the Cave Assessment Report to the RCC

Check the Master Document Register. Documents that do not bear the DENR’s official document
Verify that this is the current version before use. stamps are considered “Uncontrolled”
 Department of Environment and Document ID
Natural Resources Revision No. 0 Issue No.
PROCEDURE Date Issued
Originating Conservation and Development
Request for Cave Assessment and Office Section
Classification of Caves outside Page No. 3
Protected Areas
Originator: Reviewed by: Approved by:
Conservation and CENR Officer Regional Executive Director
Development Section

The DENR

 Mobilize the Regional/CENRO Cave Assessment Team

 Field reconnaissance survey
 Conduct orientation to requesting party on the laws and regulations pertaining cave utilization
and management
 Conduct assessment of biophysical, socio-economic and cultural status of identified caves
 Prepare the Detailed Cave Assessment Report
 Inform the requesting party the schedule of meeting of the RCC for the presentation of the Cave
Assessment Report
 Give the requesting party copies of the Detailed Cave Assessment Report and Resolutions from
the RCC for the cave classification

6. PROCESS INPUTS:

Technical Documents

6.1 Enhanced Cave Assessment Form

6.2 Cave Maps and Geotag Pictures

7. PROCESS STEPS:

7.1 Requesting party shall submit request letter for technical assistance on cave assessment
7.2 Receive the request letter from the CENRO’s office and submit to Chief CDS
7. 3 Review the documents and send response (call, email, letter) to the requesting party
7.4 Provide details on the requests and coordination with the requesting party for the schedule
of activity and needed logistics to be prepared by the requesting party
7.5 Prepare Special Order for the Cave Assessment Team
7.6 Convene the Cave Assessment Team
7.7 Prepare equipment for the Assessment
7.8 Orientation of requesting party on Cave Laws and Regulations
7.9 Conduct of Cave Assessment
7.10 Prepare Detailed Cave Assessment Report
7.11 Submit the technical report to Regional Office thru PENRO
7.12 Review the documents and proponent shall present the result of the cave assessment report
to the RCC for cave classification
7.13 Approval of Cave Classification to PAMB

8. CONTROL OF NONCONFORMING OUTPUTS

Nonconforming Output Reactive Measures

Result and Classification of the Cave does not fit  Follow the recommendation and
on the proposed development of the requesting classification of the RCC
party

9. INTERFACES/FORMS (DAO, EXISTING DAO, REFER TO FORMS)

 Department of Environment and Document ID
Natural Resources Revision No. 0 Issue No.
PROCEDURE Date Issued
Originating Conservation and Development
Request for Cave Assessment and Office Section
Classification of Caves outside Page No. 3
Protected Areas
Originator: Reviewed by: Approved by:
Conservation and CENR Officer Regional Executive Director
Development Section

 R.A. 9072 “National Cave and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act”
 DMC 2007-04 “Procedural Guidelines for Cave Classification”
 NCC Resolution No. 2017-04

10. REVISION/APPROVAL HISTORY

Rev. Date Nature of Approved by:

Changes

Original Issue
PAQUITO D. MELICOR, JR., CESO IV
Regional Executive Director