Declaration of Policy
- State policy to conserve, protect, and manage caves and cave resources as natural wealth.
- Promote cooperation and information exchange between government and cave users for scientific, educational, recreational, tourism, and other purposes.
Definition of Key Terms
- "Cave": Naturally occurring voids or passages accessible to individuals, excluding man-made tunnels.
- "Cave resources": Naturally occurring materials in caves, including flora, fauna, archaeological and paleontological deposits, cultural artifacts, sediments, minerals, speleogems, and speleothems.
- "Secretary": Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
- "Speleogem": Relief features of cave rock surfaces such as scallops or niches.
- "Speleothem": Natural mineral formations like stalactites and stalagmites.
- "Significant cave": Caves possessing archaeological, cultural, ecological, historical, or scientific value as determined by DENR.
Implementing Agency
- DENR as lead implementing agency in coordination with the Department of Tourism, National Museum, National Historical Institute, and local government units.
- In Palawan, the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development leads implementation.
Powers and Functions of the DENR
- Develop and implement national management and conservation programs for caves.
- Disseminate information and conduct educational campaigns on cave conservation.
- Issue permits for collection/removal of guano and other cave resources, subject to conditions and bond posting.
- Prohibit issuance of permits for removal of stalactites/stalagmites if it harms significant caves.
- Coordination with other government agencies and NGOs for cave management.
- Enter into agreements with local government units for cave preservation.
- Exercise necessary powers to implement the Act.
Confidentiality of Information on Significant Caves
- Location and nature of potentially significant caves withheld from public for one year after discovery.
- DENR, with consultations, assesses the cave's value during this period.
- Disclosure allowed upon written request and Secretary’s approval, ensuring protection from harm or vandalism.
Prohibited Acts
- Destruction, alteration, or removal of speleogems and speleothems.
- Interference with cave fauna and flora movement.
- Unauthorized collection, possession, sale, barter, or exchange of cave resources.
- Counseling or soliciting others to violate prohibitions.
Penalties
- Imprisonment of 2 to 6 years or fines ranging from PHP 20,000 to PHP 500,000, or both, for violations.
- Stricter penalties for financiers: imprisonment of 6 years and 1 day to 8 years or fines from PHP 500,000 to PHP 1,000,000.
- Restoration or compensation required if damage occurs.
- Government employees offending to be removed from office.
Administrative Confiscation
- Cave resources and related conveyances/equipment used unlawfully shall be confiscated in favor of the government.
Fees and Funds
- Fees collected from permits, bond forfeitures, and fines to be remitted to the National Treasury.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- DENR to issue necessary implementing rules within six months from the law's effectivity.
Appropriations
- Funding to be provided in the General Appropriations Act starting the year following enactment.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any provision does not affect the other provisions which remain effective.
Repealing Clause
- Modifies Presidential Decree No. 1726-A regarding treasure hunting in caves.
- Repeals or amends inconsistent laws except Presidential Decree No. 412 and Republic Act No. 4846.
Effectivity
- The law takes effect 15 days after publication in two national newspapers of general circulation.