Caves for tourism are limited to those recommended by RTC, DENR: DOT 11

An official of the regional office of the Department of Tourism (DOT 11) said on Monday that promotion of caves for tourism activities are limited only to caves that are recommended by the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources 11 (DENR 11) and the Regional Trial Court (RTC).

“DOT promotes caves katong na validate and recommended sa RTC. Kasi naa man gud caves nga pwede for tourism, for exploratory lang, and research lang. Once naa ta’y clearance from RTC and DENR na recommended ang cave for tourism activities kato lang ang atong gina-promote. Depende pud na sa LGU kung gusto pud nila nga i-promote as part of their activities,” said DOT regional director Tanya Rabat-Tan in an interview.

This developed after the Na- tional Bureau of Investigation 11 (NBI 11) on Sunday served the Search Warrant issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Acting Executive Judge Rowena Apao-Adlawan upon her order to conduct an immediate search in the premises of “Secret Peak Buda Cafe’” located at Purok 11, Sitio Langub, Brgy Baganihan, Marilog, District, Davao City.

Executive Judge Adlawan has found “sufficient probable cause” to believe that violation of RA 9072 otherwise known as the “National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act” is committed and is being committed”.

Tan said DOT 11 has no portfolio of the Secret Peak Buda Café. She clarified that DOT does not grant permits for caves to be promoted.

“Doon tayo sa mga caves na recommended by DENR and RTC. DENR issues recommendations

By MAYA M. PADILLO