Callao Caves In Cagayan Valley Of Philippines Temporarily Closed For Safety Due To Recent Rockfalls – What Travelers Need To Know

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Author: TTW News Desk

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources successful Cagayan Valley (Region 2) has ordered nan impermanent closure of nan Callao Caves aft respective episodes of rockfall this past week. The closure, intended arsenic a information measure, seeks to protect visitors and adjacent residents who often research nan renowned limestone formation.

Recent Rockfall Incidents Spark Concern

The determination to unopen down nan caves was prompted by 2 rockfall incidents that occurred successful July. On July 18, cobble-sized sediments fell from nan cave’s precocious sections, followed by a much superior arena connected July 25, wherever larger boulder-sized rocks descended. Although nary injuries were reported, nan landslides raised important concerns astir nan information of visitors exploring nan cave system, particularly since nan area is known for its majestic limestone formations and unsocial caverns.

As a result, DENR Region 2 Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan confirmed that a thorough investigation was launched instantly aft nan incidents. A squad from nan Protected Area Management Office, nan Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and section authorities, including nan Provincial Government of Cagayan and nan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, were deployed to find nan causes of nan rockfalls and measure nan business connected nan ground.

Investigation and Safety Measures

Initial investigations suggested that nan rockfalls were apt caused by dense rainfall, which whitethorn person compromised nan stableness of nan cave and its surroundings. While nan incidents themselves were not considered instantly dangerous, nan section authorities emphasised nan value of continued observation. If nan information of nan surrounding area, specified arsenic nan activity of trees located supra nan caves, shifts, further information measures would beryllium required to guarantee location is nary consequence to nan public.

The closure is not conscionable a reactionary move but portion of a broader committedness to preserving nan integrity of 1 of nan astir visited tourer destinations successful Cagayan Valley. The determination to adjacent nan caves has been framed arsenic a basal measure, not only to debar imaginable harm to visitors but besides to let for observant monitoring and further consequence assessments.

Impact connected Local Tourism and Economy

The Callao Caves person agelong been a important tie for visitors visiting Cagayan Valley. Known for its stunning limestone structures and humanities significance, nan caves pull thousands of visitors each year. This impermanent closure, however, is expected to person an effect connected section businesses that dangle heavy connected nan influx of tourists, including accommodations, transportation, and guided circuit operators.

Despite this, nan section authorities has expressed that nan information of visitors must travel first, and each basal steps are being taken to mitigate risks. They person besides assured nan nationalist that nan caves will reopen arsenic soon arsenic nan business is deemed safe. Local businesses are encouraged to cooperate pinch nan authorities and proceed promoting different attractions wrong nan region during nan closure period.

Commitment to Ensuring Safety and Future Monitoring

The Cagayan Tourism Office (CTO) has reiterated its dedication to nan information of visitors. The agency will proceed to activity intimately pinch nan DENR and different applicable authorities bodies to show nan stableness of nan Callao Caves and guarantee that nan tract remains safe for each who visit. A bid of follow-up assessments will beryllium conducted, including geological evaluations and ongoing surveillance of nan cave’s surroundings.

In summation to beingness information inspections, nan CTO has pledged to pass transparently pinch nan nationalist and supply updates connected nan position of nan caves. They person emphasised nan value of checking pinch section authorities for nan latest accusation regarding nan reopening timeline. Furthermore, nan CTO will support an oculus connected nan upwind conditions, arsenic it is believed that nan dense rains could beryllium a continuing facet successful immoderate imaginable landslide risk.

Tourist Advice and Safety Reminders

While nan caves are closed, visitors are advised to research different section attractions that Cagayan Valley has to offer. The region is location to a scope of earthy wonders, humanities sites, and taste experiences that proceed to pull visitors moreover erstwhile nan Callao Caves are off-limits. Local authorities besides emphasised nan value of pursuing each information guidelines erstwhile visiting outdoor destinations, particularly successful regions that whitethorn beryllium prone to biology hazards specified arsenic rockfalls.

For now, it remains important that each visitors respect nan closure of nan site, arsenic nan impermanent shutdown serves arsenic a reminder of nan value of information successful each tourer destinations. Authorities person been clear that this decision, though it whitethorn origin immoderate inconvenience, is made pinch nan utmost respect for visitant safety.

Looking Ahead: Reopening and Continued Evaluation

Although nan impermanent closure of nan Callao Caves whitethorn origin immoderate short-term disruptions to tourism successful nan area, nan eventual extremity is to guarantee that nan caves tin erstwhile again safely invited visitors. Once each information concerns are addressed and nan caves person been thoroughly evaluated, a reopening scheme will beryllium developed. This will let nan tract to proceed to usability arsenic an basal taste and earthy assets for Cagayan Valley.

In nan meantime, nan Cagayan Tourism Office encourages travellers to enactment updated connected nan position of nan caves and to cheque pinch section authorities for further information. It is hoped that pinch continued collaboration betwixt nan DENR, nan Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and nan provincial government, nan basal measures will beryllium taken to forestall immoderate early incidents, ensuring nan information and enjoyment of early visitors.

A Hard Call

The little shutdown of nan Callao Caves highlights nan reality that immoderate tract group successful an unrefined scenery tin alteration overnight. Choosing to adjacent nan caves for now was a difficult call, but keeping everyone safe guided each step. Ongoing evaluations and reinforced information plans mean a caller opening information is successful reach, allowing nan caves to erstwhile again stock their striking stone formations and heavy history. Meanwhile, guests tin still observe adjacent wonders; Cagayan Valley is still afloat of trails, rivers, and stories waiting to beryllium uncovered.

Image Credit: Cagayan Province Tourism Official Website