German aid to map out underwater caves sought

A group of spelunkers or cave divers will seek  a grant from the German government for the conservation of  seven underwater cave systems in the Visayas.

Bernil Gastardo, president of the Filipino Cave Divers (FDC), said they have until Aug. 11 to submit their project proposal to the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ),  a federal agency of the German government tasked to oversee international cooperation for sustainable development projects.

He said the German government grant will fund the exploration of the seven underwater caves to enable the proponents to compile baseline data that can be used in mapping the caves.

The seven underwater cave systems identified for study by the group are the Pawod Underwater Cave System in barangay Agus in Lapu-Lapu City; the Enchanted River in Surigao City; the Casili underwater cave in Balamban town in southwest Cebu; the Bababu cave in Dinagat Island; Barobo Cave in Surigao del Sur; the Siargao Inner Sanctum and the Silop cave complex in Surigao del Norte.

Gastardo said the FDC is working with partner biologists of the University of San Carlos (USC) to protect and preserve the seven cave systems.
Gastardo said the late surgeon, Dr. Alfonso Amores, used to be on top of the cave exploration project.

Amores died on June 17 after suffering a heart attack while setting up a guide-line for a TV crew that was doing a documentary on the Hinatuan Enchanted River in Surigao City.

One of the doctor’s dive students, Jayme Lampac, tried to revive him.

Jake Miranda, FDC co-founder, led the retrieval of the doctor’s body and facilitated its transport back to his family in Lapu-Lapu City.

Related Stories:

‘Doc Al’ leaves unfinished book

MACTAN SEA CAVE SURPRISE: ‘Doc Amores’ pushed for marine sanctuary

Cebuano doc killed in cave-diving mishap in Surigao