BRIGHT CAVE. Tourism stakeholders during a tour of Sohoton Cave in Basey, Samar. Officials on Thursday (July 23, 2020) said the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority has completed the installation of lights inside the Sohoton Cave, adding attractions to the famed natural park. (PNA photo by Roel Amazona)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has completed the installation of lights inside the Sohoton Cave in Basey, Samar, adding attractions to the famed natural park.
The PHP6-million project makes the cave tour more convenient since guests don’t have to carry flashlights to see the cave’s natural wonders, said Larry Rambacud, tour guide and chairman of the Sohoton Service Cooperative, in an interview on Thursday.
The lightings would also ensure that people walk within the trail and not step on growing stalagmites formed from water drops, according to the Sohoton Service Cooperative.
Sohoton’s stalagmites come in varied sizes, some of which resemble an elephant, the Statue of Liberty, rice terraces, the Great Wall of China, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, natural musical organ, a beehive, human body parts, an eagle, guards, jellyfish, the Holy Family, Mother Mary, among others.
“Now with the lighting inside the cave, you will see more formation that will tickle your mind and you will also see that the cave chambers are huge,” Rambacud said.
After several years of closure, the cantilever bridge was also upgraded and can now be used by tourists after exploring the cave. The bridge that spans about a kilometer, connects the Sohoton Cave to the office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources that manages the area.
The turn-over and grand launching of the project is set in August or September this year, in time for the expected resumption of tourism activities after months of restrictions due to the health crisis.
The community-based tourism service provider expects that the destination will draw more tourists, once movement restrictions are lifted.
Under the guidelines for its new normal operations, the number of tourists allowed to explore the cave will be reduced from 100 to only 40 to 50 persons daily.
The adoption of “safe bubble” concept is also encouraged wherein only 10 people per group of tourist is allowed.
Because of this guideline, Rambacud is expecting reduced income for their group.
“Tourists who will be visiting the site must also observe and practice health protocols like wearing of face masks, use disinfectants, and observe physical distancing,” Rambacud added.
Department of Tourism Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said they are happy that the project is finally finished and Sohoton Cave can now be classified as a “showcase.”
She added that while the destination is ready to accept tourists, people who are managing the site must also be prepared and trained on the new normal operation.
“There are lots of measures that need to be in place once we start operating, not only in the site proper but also in accepting tourists and how to handle tours,” Tiopes told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
“In that aspect, we are about to prepare it, we already have the guidelines but this needs to be cascaded to concern people’s organization to inform them on how this will be implemented especially the changes on operation procedures,” she added.
The Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge Park is a protected natural area about 841 hectares and a tourist attraction within the Samar Island Natural Park that features caves, subterranean rivers, waterfalls, limestone formations, thick forest, and a natural stone bridge.
It was established on July 19, 1935, under Proclamation No. 831, primarily to preserve its geological features and natural wonders.
It was named Sohoton Cave Natural Park but this was changed in 2005 to Sohoton Cave and Natural Bridge.
The natural stone bridge connects two mountain ridges over the Sohoton River.
Sohoton is accessible by a 15-minute boat ride from the jump-off point at the Sohoton Cave Eco-Lodge. (PNA)
