National Cave Committee

The National Cave Committee (NCC) is an inter-agency advisory body created to ensure the implementation of the Cave Management, Protection and Conservation Program (CPMCP) pursuant to Section 5 (a) of Republic Act No. 9072, otherwise known as the “National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act,” and Section 11 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 2003-29 “Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9072.”

The NCC brings together the following agencies and organizations, per DENR Special Order No. 2016-654 “Amendment to the DENR Special Order No. 2008-687 entitled the Creation of the National and Regional Cave Committees,” to conserve, protect and manage caves and cave resources in the Philippines:

Biodiversity Management Bureau
Mines and Geosciences Bureau
National Museum
National Historical Commission of the Philippines
Office of Tourism Standards and Regulation, Department of Tourism
Palawan Council for Sustainable Development
Bureau of Local Government Development – Department of Interior and Local Government
Bureau of Local Government Supervision – Department of Interior and Local Government
League of Provinces of the Philippines
League of Cities of the Philippines
League of Municipalities of the Philippines
University of the Philippines – National Institute of Geological Sciences
Gaia Exploration Club
Filipino Cave Divers

The Committee fulfills the following duties and responsibilities:

Strengthen the implementation of the Cave Management Protection and Conservation Program (CMPCP) and other cave related activities;
Coordinate governmental and non-governmental efforts in the conservation and sustainable use of the country’s caves and cave resources;
Establish linkages and encourage participation of local and international NGOs and civic organizations in relation to cave management and protection;
Review, evaluate and recommend project proposals, cave management and conservation policies, rules and regulations and other procedures necessary to support and sustain the CMPCP;
Act as an advisory body to the Secretary on matters relating to cave management and conservation programs and development activities; and
Performs other duties and responsibilities as may be required by the Secretary.