LGU, DENR ink pact on ecotourism development in Northern Mindanao frontier city

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 7 (PNA) - The city government of Cagayan de Oro City and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Northern Mindanao inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the co-management of Macahambus cave and gorge, Kalabera and Huluga caves as ecotourism and historical heritage sites.

It was also learned that the MOA will pave the way for further preservation and protection of these Class 1-classified caves due to their archeological and historical values.

Under the MOA, a management body shall be created to manage the project, to be known as the "Cagayan de Oro Golden Ecotourism Areas (CdeOGEA) Management Board,' which will be chaired by City Mayor Constantino “Tinnex” Jaraula and co-chaired by Region 10 DENR Regional Executive Director (RED) Maximo O. Dichoso.

On the other hand, the regional director of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Region 10 shall act as vice chairman with other concerned government officials as members including police and the National Historical Institute.

Mayor Jaraula and Dichoso formalized the co-management agreement in a signing ceremony held recently at the City Mayor's Office.

City Councilor and Tourism Committee chair Alden Bacal, City Councilor and Environment Committee chair Caesar Ian Acenas, DENR regional technical director Belen Daba, City Administrator Griscelda M. Joson, City Planning and Development Coordinator Estrella F. Sagaral and City Tourism Officer Imma Rae D. Gatuslao witnessed the MOA signing.

"We are very happy to go into full active partnership with the DENR-10 in line with our efforts to preserve, enhance and blend tourism development on these natural national treasures' of our city," said Mayor Jaraula in his message during the signing ceremony.

On the other hand, Dichoso expressed optimism that the co-management agreement between DENR and the city government will pave the way for further preservation and protection of the archeological and historical values.

"We need to join our efforts to preserve and protect these areas because these are important sites that the people must see and enjoy," he stressed.

Macahambus cave and gorge is located in Barangays Lumbia and Bayanga while the Huluga Cave is found in Sitio Taguanao in Barangay Indahag, including the Kalabera Cave. (PNA)
LAP/MUC/jsd