Just a few years ago, the caves in Matanao, Davao del Sur, were considered a hotbed of insurgency. In fact, curious tourists would have been escorted out of the village by local officials since it was believed that the town's distinctive caves were home to rebels.
Now, the beauty within the caverns is poised to unveil itself.
This was what Maranao officials thought as they showcased the richness of the town’s 60 caves at the inaugural Cave Congress in the Davao region.
Tourist-ready caves
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), three of the caves—Su'bon, Asbang Faksol, and Dats—are secure and "tourist-ready."
No one would have guessed that the caverns in Barangay Asbang were formerly the hideouts of New People’s Army (NPA) insurgents because of renovations made to maintain their natural beauty.
Years of peace measures and a more vigorous battle against the NPA have paid off for areas like Matanao, whose potential tourism through its hidden attractions, suffered from the rebels' operations.
“Before we opened our tourism here, I made sure that there was no presence of the NPA, that they no longer existed. I was apprehensive before (to invite visitors), but now cave tourism has changed the face of our municipality," said Matanao Mayor Vincent Fernandez.
Caves’ hallmarks
Su'bon Cave is a "solution cave," with water entering through the cave's ceiling and underground creek. Solution caves arise when acidic water seeps into small fissures, dissolving the rock it comes into contact with. The continuous flow of water stretches the crack into a cave.
The word "Su'bon" in Blaan, which means "baho" or stinky, is derived from bats and swiftlets inside the cave, whose wastes generated the distinctive musty smell inside the cave.
Similarly, Asbang Faksol is a solution cave with a creek running beneath it and water falling from the ceiling. Meanwhile, Dats Cave is a form of active solution cave primarily composed of subterranean water, or vadose.
On top of the public caverns, Matanao tourist officials revealed intentions to open businesses including restaurants, cafés, and inns to assist the residents and stimulate tourism.
