CAVE FEST. Matanao town Mayor Vincent Fernandez invites the public to explore their natural wonders as they opened the Cave Festival 2023 on Thursday (May 18, 2023). The three-day activity, which runs until May 20, includes cave and photo exhibits, mural painting, tree planting, and cave exploration. (PNA photo by Che Palicte)
MATANAO, Davao del Sur – To showcase this town’s natural resources, the local government opened the Cave Festival 2023 here Thursday.
In an interview, Mayor Vincent Fernandez said the three-day festival, which runs until May 20, includes such activities as cave and photo exhibits, mural painting, tree planting, and cave exploration.
“We want the public to know that we have these beautiful caves. We have around 60 to 70 caves that are still unexplored,” he said.
Currently, two caves, the Su’bon and Asbang Fak Sol, both located in Barangay Asbang, are open to the public.
Fernandez expressed optimism that more jobs in the locality would be generated if the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) would approve the opening of more caves to the public.
“More jobs will be made available since we will be opening inns, boutiques, restaurants, shops, and others,” he said.
Meanwhile, the mayor also urged the residents of the mountainous areas to stop cutting trees to prevent erosion.
“We will assess and provide them their livelihood,” he said.
Cave country
Clover Jane Sabornido, Matanao tourism office head, said they are poised to become the “cave country” in the province, based on the DENR assessment.
She said they are relying on the DENR approval since the agency is the only authorized body to assess and provide the cave management plan.
“If the DENR approves, that’s the time the Department of Tourism would come in. Every cave has three years of preparation before it will be open to the public,” she said. (PNA)
