Antique: The public is encouraged to help conserve and protect the natural resource of Antique as the province observes Cave Month this April. ‘We have to protect and preserve our caves like the Igbaclag and Panansalan because they are our rich natural resources, tourist attractions and still home to the endangered flora and fauna,’ said Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Pio Jessielio Sumande, Sr., author of Provincial Ordinance Number 2021-156 institutionalizing the Cave Month celebration in Antique, in an interview on Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Igbaclag and Panansalan caves are in the municipality of San Remigio, but Antique has around 50 caves, the home to the Visayan warty pigs and Balinsasayaw or swiftlets bird species. He said Igbaclag Cave, which looks like an imposing stone castle with two chambers, is a tourist destination. The Panansalan Cave is still unexplored. ‘Panansalan cave is more beautiful with 13 chambers of stalagmites and stalactites,’ Sumande said.

Visiting the Panansalan cave takes about a two to three kilometer-hike from Barangay Gahit, the last paved road from the town proper. Although unexplored, it is targeted by bird hunters because of the Balinsasayaw. The bird is known for building edible nests used in the popular bird’s nest soup. They also vandalized the cave that it needs regulation, said the official. ‘We have to constantly remind the public that they should not vandalize or remove what they could see inside the caves,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Antique Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (OPENRO) will have a cleanup activity in the areas surrounding the two caves to culminate the Cave Month on April 30. The OPENRO will also conduct an information and education campaign this month to raise public awareness of the importance of caves.