Balincaguin Conservancy Grotto

Rawen E. Balmaña – BC member
Rogelio Rubares – BC member
Ryan Amistad – Local guide

We opted to name this caves in respect to the surface owner. Geographical coordinates were observed using a Garmin 12 channel GPS hand held unit on WGS84 datum with +/- 18 meters of accuracy due to the presence of thick vegetation on some part of this karst field.

1. Ora Garcia Cave 1 (horizontal), elevation: 83 meters ASL

About 130 meters in length, warm but with good air exchange. Certain species of bat and small guano deposits, signs of early exploitation including formations that have been broken off and excavations were also noted, possibly as a result of birds nest gathering and treasure hunting.

2. Ora Garcia Cave 2 (vertical), elevation: 112 meters ASL

A pit of about 6 meters deep, 2 meters across and 8 meters wide is curved out in limestone outcrop served as entrance to this cave. Locals claimed that this maybe the longest cave in this area. Can only be entered with vertical gear, with 2 possible rig points right off the pitch.

3. Ora Garcia Cave 3 (vertical), no elevation data

A tight 4 meter pit can also be entered without vertical equipment; it is estimated to be about 30 meters in length. Relatively cool environment with good air flow, bats, tail less whip scorpions (amblypigids), frogs and fallen bird nest were noted.

4. Oming Barrocan Cave (horizontal), elevation: 109 meters ASL

With small entrance right off rice paddies, low ceiling and good air, this cave of about 80 meters long is littered with broken formations as a result of early human activities.Bats, guano deposits, frogs, amblypigids and swift lets are still present in this cave, including one bird that accidentally bump into Ron’s head lamp mistaken it to be light from an exit.

5. Manding Reyes Cave (horizontal), elevation: 130 meters ASL

About 200 meters from the entrance of Oming Barrocan Cave, marked by a star apple tree as a turn off going up the hill to the entrance of this cave. Presence of hatched unknown reptile eggs, swiftlets, amblypigids and partly broken off speleothems including bacon rinds, soda straws, and helictites were observe on the first 80 meter of this cave with good air flow and relatively low ceiling. Remarkable formations littered the second part of the cave including stalactites and 8 foot stalagmites that are still intact with little signs of human intrusions as a result of past birds nest gathering activities, due possibly to a tight crawl that blocked this chamber. Totaling about 140 meters in length with well decorated passage this cave has potentials for photography.

6. Federico Bolanday Cave 1, elevation: 118 meters ASL

Two cave entrances that according to Ryan, our guide, lay almost exactly facing one another lay along this trail. The first one being only about 2 meters off the trail, and the second at about 10 meters up the hill.

We were not able to check these two caves out due to time constraints, future trips can be arranged with the surface owner whom we got a chance to sit with for access to other caves within his property.

7. Federico Bolanday Mine Cave 2 (horizontal), entrance at elevation: 146 meters ASL, exit at elevation: 112 meters ASL

Instead of a small climb that lay ahead of us on our way home, we took an offer made by the surface owner; we agreed to take this cave as a bypass.

At about 139 meters in length with enormous breakdowns, speleothems, a mine shaft, and piles of stuff mineral debris believed to be phosphate used in chemical fertilizer were found on this cave. Also, digging tools, cables used in hauling extracts out of the cave and excavation that reduces the natural floor level to 1 meter and up to 1.5 meter on some part were noted.