National Caves and

Cave Resources Management and

Protection Act

Republic Act No. 9072

and

Its Implementing Rules and Regulations

DENR Administrative Order No. 29, Series of 2003
 Declaration of Policy
• conserve, protect and manage caves and cave
resources

• strengthen cooperation and exchange of information

between governmental
authorities and people who utilize caves and cave
resources
 Caves

-natural opening or cavity,

beneath the surface of the
earth,
large enough for an an
individual to enter.

Mera Cave 2
Brgy. Ban-ao, Baganga,
Davao Oriental

Mera Cave 2
Brgy. Ban-ao, Baganga, Davao Oriental
Cave Resources
Examples - animals,
plants, paleontological
& archaeological
deposits,
cultural artifacts,
sediments,
speleogens &
speleothems
Implementing Agencies

 DENR – lead agency in the implementation

of the provisions of this Act, in coordination
with the DOT, NM, NHI and concerned
LGUs

 PCSD – lead agency to implement the

provisions of this Act in the province of
Palawan
Powers and Functions
of the DENR
 Formulate, develop and implement a national
program for management, protection and
conservation of caves and cave resources

 Conduct information, education, conservation

campaign on the need to conserve, protect &
manage caves & cave resources

 Issue permits for utilization of cave resources

Powers & Functions
of the DENR
 Coordinate with any local or national governments,
non-government organizations, academe and other
instrumentalities for assistance or as active partners
in the discharge of its functions

 Enter into a memorandum of agreement with any

LGU for the preservation, development &
management of caves & cave resources
Significant Caves
Possesses features with archaeological, cultural,
ecological, historical, or scientific value

Information of a potentially significant cave shall

not be available to the public within one (1) year
after its discovery

(assess its archaeological, cultural, ecological,

historical and scientific value)
Cave Management, Protection & Conservation Program
(CMPCP)

Program Components:
Cave Resource Assessment
Resource Management and Utilization
Visitor Management
Conservation, Education and Public Awareness
Human Resource Development
Resource and Development

*National Cave Committee

*Regional Cave Committee
Prohibited Acts
 knowingly destroying, disturbing, defacing,
marring, altering, removing, or harming
speleogen or speleothem or altering the free
movement of any animal or plant life

 gathering, collecting, possessing, consuming,

selling, bartering or exchanging or offering for
sale without authority any cave resource
Prohibited Acts

 counselling, procuring, soliciting or employing

any other person to violate any provision of this
Act
Penalties

Any person guilty of the prohibited acts shall be

punished by:

o 2 to 6 years imprisonment, or,

o fine ranging from P20,000 to P50,000,
or,
o both at the discretion of the Court
Penalties

Any person providing capital to accomplish the

punishable acts

o 6 years + 1 day to 8 years, or,

o fine ranging from P500,000 to
P1,000,000, or,
o both
Penalties

If the offender is a government employee

o he shall be removed from Office

The Court could also require

o rehabilitation or restoration of
disturbed site, whenever practicable
o compensation for the damages
Confiscations

The Secretary shall order the confiscation, in

favor of the government, of the:

 cave resources gathered, collected, removed,

possessed and sold

 conveyance and equipment used in the

violation.
 Fees

Any money collected as

 permit fees for collection and removal of cave

resources
 bond forfeiture or other security by a permittee or
 fines for violations

shall be remitted to the National Treasury.

Appropriations

fund to implement this Act shall be included in the

General Appropriations Act
EFFECTIVITY
May 2001

May 2001

Twin Cave 1
Brgy. Tambo, Babak
Kapunit Cave,District,
Brgy. Suaon, Kapalong, Davao del
Norte
Island Garden City of Samal