CAVE ASSESSMENT FORM

Name of Cave: BLUEWATER

Location: SITIO BLUEWATER, ZONE 7, J. PALLAGAO, BAGGAO, CAGAYAN
Region: 02 Province: CAGAYAN
Municipality: BAGGAO Barangay: J. PALLAGAO
Sitio: SITIO BLUEWATER
Size of the area: ___________________ha(area enclosed by the proposed boundary)
Date of Assessment: OCTOBER 09-10, 2018

General instruction: Attach site level and regional maps. Include cave maps if available.

I. General Information

1. Evolution of the cave (include cave’s origin, solution, tectonic movement, etc.)
The cave was first explored by Francisco "Ancis" Battung of the Sierra
Madre Outdoor Club with his wife's cousin, Nardo Dela Cruz, the very first settler
in Blue Water Sitio. Later during the late 80’s / early 90’s while overseeing
logging activities in the area Olympio Muñoz passed on details to the caving
community. During the Speleo Philippines 1995 expedition it was bought to
Henry Bennett and Rich Blakes attention but back then it was considered
extremely difficult to get to. The only access was via an old abandoned logging
track with no public transport. This was years before the internet, Google Earth
and easy access to good maps. In the year 1999, initial exploration and survey of
the Blue Water Cave was conducted through the funding support of the then
newly-elected Mayor Leonardo C. Pattung, MD. and the members of the
Sangguniang Bayan in collaboration with the DENR, DOT-RO2 and SMOC.

By 2005 the cave was becoming well known and during the Philippine
Speleological Society Inc (PSSI) 5th Annual Congress held in Duba (17.835274°
121.931650°) the cave was visited as day excursion. Prior to the Congress in
January 2004 members of Gaia Exploration Club with support from Sierra Madre
Outdoor Club and Sang-at Sang Outdoor Club mapped the entrance series for
500m which was drawn up by G-third Atanque.

2. Geographic location and description

Coordinates: 51 Q 0393977
1992812

Elevation:_________203_________________
Physiography:________________________
 3. Land status (please check)
_____A & D_____Unclassified public forest
__X___Timberland_____Private
_____Others (Specify)___________________
4. Accessibility (State how the cave can be reached from the nearest
barangay;indicate distance,means of transportation)
From the seat of the municipality, brgy San Jose, the cave can be reached
through riding a motor vehicle or motorcycle for approximately 1 hour and
a 20 minutes hike along the timbered trails.

5. Climatological data (rainfall pattern, climate type)

The climate of the place falls under the radii of the type II and type III climate
according to CORONAS classification. Type II climate is defined as no dry season
with a very pronounced maximum rain in winter. Maximum rainfall generally occurs in
December and January, although there is not a single dry month. Areas characterized
by this climate type are generally along or very near the eastern coast, thus are open to
the northeast monsoon while type III climate is defined as no very pronounced
maximum period with a short dry season lasting only one to three months. This type is
intermediate between the preceding two, although it resembles the first type more
closely because it has a short dry season. Areas of this climate type are partly shielded
from the northeast monsoon but exposed to the southwest monsoon and are also
benefited by the rainfall caused by the tropical cyclones. Rainfalls in the area are mostly
brought in by the occurrence of typhoons and the rest by monsoon rains. The average
rainfall for 2014 as gleaned from PAGASA climatological data was 111.17. The highest
rainfall for 2014 is on the month of September with a recorded data of 302.9 and the
lowest rainfall was on the month of January 6.4.

6. Existing land-use patterns in area adjacent to the cave

LISTING BY TYPE AREA(ha)
Reforestation area(SIAD) 50.0
Reservation
Logging(TIMBER POACHING) Not surveyed
Grazing/pasture Not surveyed
Settlements Not surveyed
Mineral Extraction
Others

7. Demographic Information (secondary data gathered from municipality, indicate)

Name of Number of Barangay Means of

Barangay Household Population Livelihood
J. Pallagao 245 2,778 Farming & Fishing

8. Current uses/Human Activities

Identify the current activities inside the cave

Type of Duration Area Implementing Remarks

activity covered Agencies/Orgs
.
Spelunking March to July Municipal and
Barangay
Bouldering
Wading (Relax
Swimming)
Swimming
Photography
Freshwater 2016-Present (ZSL, LGU,
Conservation FSMB)
(Fish
Sanctuary)
9. Physical Features

a. Cave map (Please see attached Bluewater Cave Map).

b. Status of the cave
b.1. ( X) Pristine cave (virgin or newly discovered cave; immensely decorated)
(Not fully explored)
b.2. ( ) Intact (State what probable factors could have worked for their
protection)
__X__difficult access (some portion)
____within protected area
____inside private property
b.3. (x ) Vandalized (State extent, location of vandalism; describe vandalism)
(Location along the entrance, minimal)
b.4. ( ) Exploited (State cause and extent of exploitation)
b.5. ( ) Claimant (State name)
b.4. (x) Others (Brgy boundary dispute)

II. NATURAL FEATURES

1. Vegetative Cover (Surface ;Inside cave; enumerate plant species)

1.1. Flora outside the cave

Local Name Scientific Uses Importance/Value
Name
Mangachapoi
Red luan
White lauan
Tindalo
Narra
Lamio
Palosapis
Pang lombuyen
Bical(Bamboo)
Boho
Malugai Conservation
Molave
Dao
Matang araw
Dangula
Mayapis
Kamagong
Balete
Yakal
Betis
Niyog-niyogan
Panau
Fishtail palm For food

1.2. Flora inside the cave

Local Name Scientific Name Uses Importance/Value
 2. Fauna

2.1. Enumerate species of fauna found inside the cave

Instructions: Tick (x) the cell before the type of organism you observed in the
cave. Estimate its number and indicate accordingly in the number column after
each organism. Whenever possible,tick the column of the corresponding cave
zone where the organism was observed. Write additional observations under
remarks (For bats, note if nursing mothers or baby bats are present; for
birds,note if nests, eggs or hatchlings are present). Attach additional sheets if
necessary.

Organis Local Scientifi Commo Nos Cave Threatene Conservatio Remark

m Nam c Name n Name . Zone d Species n Status s
e Twiligh
t Dark
Eel x
Bats x
Crickets x
Spiders x

2.2 Enumerate species of fauna found outside the Cave (please see attached report from
Mabuya Foundation)

Local/Common Scientific Conservation Distribution Remarks

Name Name Status
Resident Endemi Migrator
c y

 Based on DAO 48,S 1990

3. Geology

3.1. Fill details for speleothems found inside the cave.

Approximate Nos. Zone Remarks

Speleothem Twilight Dark
Dripstone and
Flowstone Forms
(Gravity Controlled)
Stalactites X X
Stalagmites X X
Draperies Numerous X X
 Flowstone Sheets X X
Columns x x
Others
Erratic Forms (crystal
growth controlled
Shields
Helictites Numerous
Botryoidal Forms X X
(popcorns, grapes,etc.)

Anthodites X X
Oulopholites (gypsum Numerous X X
flowers)
Moonmilk X X
Others
Sub-aqueous
Rimstone dams (gour Numerous X X
pools)
Concretions of various Numerous X X
kinds (limestone
concretions e.g. cave
pearls,iron,basalt)
Pool deposits Numerous X X
Crystal linings Numerous x x
Others
Enumerate mineral deposits inside the cave

Common mineral found inside the cave

Aragonite
Calcite
Dolomite
Huntite
Hydromagnesite
Magnesite
Others

3.3. What are the other geological features inside the cave?

Geologic Features Inside the Cave Location

Faults
Joints
Cracks
Fossils (paleontological feature)
Others

4. Hydrology

4.1. What are the hydrological features inside the cave?

Features Perennial Intermitten Natural Manmade Size/Volume Remarks

t
Pools/sumps X x
Rivers X x
Falls X x
Others(Specify)

*for rivers, indicate direction of flow relative to the entrance. Indicate location and reference
points.
 4.2. What are the hydrological features outside the cave?

Features Number Perennial Intermitten Natural Manmade Remarks

t
Pools/sumps 5 x x
Rivers 1 x x
Falls 7 x x
Others(Specify
)

5. Cave Hazards/Safety-Please indicate if any of the following are present. Pls.

indicate location inside the cave.

Cave Hazards Location inside the cave Remarks

Bad air (from guano,poor air
ciculation,low supply of
oxygen)
Presence of swiftly running Unexplored Heavy/Massive
underground river system
Deep sumps or pools Dark
Flooding indications Along Vertical Entance
Vertical pitches/entrances
Tight crawlways/ squeezes Dark
Presence of rockfall

Presence of breakdown
Deep mud
Unstable flooring Dark
Sharp rocks
Extremely cold temperatures

III. Anthropological Features- Are there indigenous peoples (IP’s) or settlers living within the
general location? If yes, then specify the name of the IP and other information listed below.

IP Approximate Livelihood Traditional Uses/

Population Activities Cultural Activities

IV. ARCHAELOGICAL FEATURES

1. Are there artifacts and ecofacts on the present floor area of the cave, rock shelter or
overhang?
____Yes ___X_No
2. What are the artifacts present?
____stone tools (flaked) ____pottery (earthenware)

____stone tools (polished) ____pottery (earthenware)

With designs
____shell tools ____metal implements
____tradeware ceramics (porcelain) ____wooden coffins
3.What are the ecofacts present?
____human bones ____shells (land)
____animal bones ____shells (freshwater)
 X wood ____shells (marine)
4.Are there artworks on the wall?
____charcoal drawings
____hematite paintings
____engraved artwork

V. THREATS, PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

Identify and describe the actual and/or potential threats, conflicts (manmade or natural) and
other forms of disturbances that would affect the integrity of the cave.

Problems Current Potential

Deforestation X
Agriculture X
Urbanization and Industry
Tourism recreation X
Chemical waste
Water exploitation(dams, X
groundwater pumping,
inundation)
Others(Garbage) X

VI.POTENTIAL USES OF THE CAVE

Potential Uses of the Cave

Scientific research X
Tourism and Recreation X
Exploration x
Others

VII. Recommendations

Initial Classification: Class II, Cave Management Plan after Cave Congress

Prepared by:

DENR Regional Office:

For. PABLO P. AGUSTIN For. ROBERT V. RIVERA

Technical Staff, PAMBCS DMO III, Chief, PAMBCS

CENR Office:
Alcala,Cagayan

For. MARGIE A. CALATA For.ELEAZAR D. PERUS

SEMS EMS I

LGU- Baggao,Cagayan
 NARCISO B. CORPUZ AYSA C. CENTENO
MDRRMO/MENRO –Designate Tourism Officer-Designate

MICHELLE L. RUMUSUD ELPIDIO P. FIGUEROA

Support Staff, Tourism Office Admin. Aide III

EDMARK C. JAVIER JOJO DANNUG

Admin. Aide III Baggao Rescue 116 Volunteer/Photographer

RONALD P. BULAY
Punong Barangay-J. Pallagao

SIERRA MADRE OUTDOOR CLUB, INC.(SMOC)

FRANCISCO B. BATTUNG NIDA S. DELA CRUZ

Member, Bristol Exploration Team Member, Bristol Exploration Team

NELSON Q. PINGAY
Technical Caver, Bristol Exploration Team