Guidelines for the Establishment and Implementation of the Cave Management, Protection, and Conservation Program (CMPCP)

DENR Administrative Order No. 2021-34

Subject: Guidelines for the Establishment and Implementation of the Cave Management, Protection, and Conservation Program (CMPCP)

Signed: November 8, 2021 . Published: February 23, 2022 . Acknowledged: ONAR, U.P. Law Center, February 23, 2022.

Legal Basis

RA 9072 (National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act), RA 7586 as amended by RA 11038 (E-NIPAS), RA 8371 (IPRA), RA 7942 (Mining Act), and the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2028.

Scope

All terrestrial and underwater caves, cave resources, and their surrounding karst landscapes in the Philippines.

Guiding Approaches

Integrated and holistic management, gender equity, partnership building, science-based planning, and the Precautionary Principle.

Program Components

• Inventory and assessment: mapping, boundary delineation, classification, and documentation of biological, geological, hydrological, paleontological, archaeological, and historical resources, plus threat analysis, following BMB standards. Results guide selection of candidate protected areas and World Heritage Sites.
• Cave Management Plans: one per cave and its karst landscape, prepared with community participation, covering resource use, protection, monitoring, visitor management, climate change adaptation, DRR, and financing. Plans for caves inside protected areas must align with the PA management plan.
• Maintenance and protection: partnerships, restoration of damaged caves, and LGU engagement through MOAs, deputation, and joint monitoring.
• Biodiversity-Friendly Enterprises: sustainable livelihoods following DAO 2021-13.
• Capacity building, research (ERDB), knowledge management, CEPA (including KAP surveys), and annual monitoring and evaluation by BMB with the Policy and Planning Service.

Institutional Arrangements

• National Cave Committee: advises the Secretary on policy and program issues.
• Regional Cave Committees: chaired by the ARD for Technical Services and co-chaired by the MGB Regional Director. Within protected areas, the RCC acts as a Special Committee of the PAMB.
• Provincial Cave Committees: optional for island provinces, chaired by the PENRO. The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development serves as the PCC for Palawan.
• DENR Regional Offices lead implementation with BMB technical support, partnering with DOT, the National Museum, NHCP, LGUs, and others. Cave Protection Enforcement Officers may be deputized from NGOs, POs, LGUs, and volunteers.

Repeal

Supersedes DAO 1994-04 and Section 11 of DAO 2003-29.

Effectivity

Takes effect 15 days after publication and ONAR acknowledgment.

Relevance: projects in karst terrain, including quarries, roads, and energy facilities, should screen for caves early; classified caves and their karst settings carry protection obligations. See also DAO 2025-33 on classified caves. Signed by Secretary Roy A. Cimatu. Summary prepared by EnviSynergy from the official DENR issuance; refer to the full text for binding provisions.