Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11585)
The State shall have full control and supervision in the discovery, recovery, and disposition of hidden treasures in caves to ensure conservation, protection, management of natural wealth and heritage, rehabilitation of disturbed areas, and preservation of cultural properties.
1) Caves with cultural, paleontological, archaeological, and historical value governed by the National Museum Act; 2) Caves within ancestral lands/domain subject to the Indigenous People Rights Act; 3) Significant caves determined by DENR and the scientific community.
Hidden Treasure refers to any hidden and unknown deposit of mineral product, money, jewelry, or other precious objects, the lawful ownership of which does not appear.
Individuals who are Filipino citizens, of legal age, capable of contract and partnerships, associations, cooperatives, or corporations organized for treasure hunting with technical and financial capability.
Applications must be made under oath, filed with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Offices on a first-come first-served basis, accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of Php 10,000, and undergo initial site verification by MGB.
Technical Work Program, Environmental Work Program, technical description of site with location map certified by a licensed Geodetic Engineer, Certificate of Non-Coverage or ECC, and Curriculum Vitae of technical personnel.
Permit is exclusive and non-transferable except for succession, boundaries must be marked, activities must commence within 3 months, quarterly progress reports required, immediate notification to DENR/MGB upon valuable discovery, and the holder is liable for any damages caused.
The collection or gathering is considered illegal and constitutes a violation under Section 7, paragraph (b) of Republic Act 9072.
Non-compliance with permit terms, violation of RA 9072 or environmental laws, and national interest requirements as determined by the DENR Secretary.
Section 7 of RA 9072 shall be strictly observed, which includes penalties for unauthorized treasure hunting, illegal possession, and other related violations.