ABRA, Philippines– Three caves in various shapes in this town are being proposed as eco-tourism sites.
These caves are Kimmampana (bell-shaped), Simmimbaan (church-shaped) and Kimmatre (bed-shaped), all located at Mt. Gaco here.
A consultation took place among the local government unit of Lagayan, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and stakeholders on the proposed declaration of Mt. Gaco as Protected Landscape Area and the three caves as eco-tourism sites last June 16, 2016 at La Paz-Lagayan Parish.
Atty. Genesis Quiblado, NCIP legal officer, explained that since Lagayan is an ancestral domain composed of 100 percent indigenous people (IP), NCIP will be taking close monitoring of said project and will ensure that elders and stakeholders accord to the project in their own free will, understanding and capacity.
Leonidas Seares, IP Mandated Representative in Lagayan, stressed his unwavering support to the accomplishment of the proposed project in behalf of LGU and all the stakeholders.
Engr. Ernesto Aton, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer also assured full support in this endeavor so that not only people in said locality will prosper but protection of the environment will be heightened, too.
Meanwhile, Dr. Maria Teresa B. Beñas of Philippine Information Agency Abra Infocen, a member of Protected Area Management Board, delivered value strengthening talk during the consultation.
She pointed that there are many things and preparations to consider before implementation of project as tourist attraction such as concreting of roads going to the caves, establishment of inns or log cabins for tourists, socio-economic preparations, physical amenities like public toilets and security.
Beñas reminded locals to take good care of their environment. Do not exploit it, she said.
3 scenic caves in Abra proposed as eco-tourism sites
