A newly discovered cave in the remote barangay of Dansolihon in Cagayan de Oro City features striking crystal columns and a clear underground pool, hinting at its potential as a wildlife sanctuary.
On Thursday July 18, an exploration team from the City’s Local Environmental and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO) mapped out approximately one kilometer of the cave but found no exits.
Engineer Armen Cuenca, CLENRO Manager, described the cave’s interior in a radio interview, “The cave is vibrant, adorned with stalagmite formations rising from the floor, stalactites hanging from the ceiling, and clusters of quartz minerals.”
He also noted the discovery of a clear water pool inside, which is ideal for swimming.
The team found remnants of wild animal food scattered around, suggesting the presence of local wildlife.
They also observed cracks at the cave entrance, which were exposed by earthmoving equipment during nearby road construction.
Cuenca reported that they have secured the area in coordination with the landowner to prevent unauthorized entry.
He also issued a reminder that entering the cave, which was revealed during hill excavation, breaches Republic Act 9072 (Natural Cave and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act) and Republic Act 9147 (Conservation and Protection of Wildlife Resources and their Habitat).
Under these laws, it is prohibited to enter or extract minerals from the cave until the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has completed a full exploration and classification for potential tourism or other uses.
Violations can lead to fines of P20,000 to P500,000 and imprisonment from two to six years.
Cuenca warned of potential landslides due to the exposed cave entrance and assured that CLENRO will continue its exploration to assess the cave's potential as a tourist destination or a site for archaeological or geological study.
The discovery has generated local interest, sparking discussions about the cave’s ecological and scientific value.
Cuenca stressed the importance of protecting such natural resources while ensuring their sustainable use for future generations.
Photo Courtesy: Clenro Cdeo Fb ACCOUNT
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