Dangwa Cave: A Promising Spelunking Destination in Kapangan
Dangwa Cave is a promising new spelunking site in Kapangan, a mid-western section of Benguet. It is connected to Bulalacao Cave and has an emerald green pool outside one of its entrance.
Disclaimer: This article is made as a primer of the cave and not been endorsed by the LGU or Municipal Tourism Office of Kapangan. Further, since organized spelunking in this cave is very much at the beginning from its inception, expect changes of rules (including fees) in the future. Moreover, DO NOT GO TO THE CAVE without prior knowledge and proper coordination with the LGU and barangay. For any changes or corrections in the content of the article, please comment below [no need for registration or email].
Contents
Location
Taba-ao, Kapangan, Benguet, Philippines
DENR Classification
Class III (DENR Memorandum Circular No. 2012-03): Cave is generally safe to inexperienced visitors with no known threatened species and archeological, geological, natural history, cultural and historical values.
For more information, visit this page: Philippine caving classification system
Dangwa Cave: A Promising Spelunking Destination in Kapangan
Dangwa Cave is a promising new spelunking site in Kapangan, a mid-western section of Benguet. It is connected to Bulalacao Cave and has an emerald green pool outside one of its entrance.
This cave is promising because of its proximity to Baguio City, unlike Sagada caves that need a 6-hour travel from the city. Located about 2-hours drive away from Baguio City, Dangwa Cave will soon start to reach the popularity of Longog Cave, probably the most popular among the Kapangan caves to date. It is also accessible because there are regular PUJs bound to municipality as well as regular buses plying Baguio-Kibungan route passes through Kapangan.
The beauty of Dangwa Cave has captivated the eyes of the locals. Because of this, the locals caught the attention of the Development Division of the Department of Environment and natural Resources (DENR) on 2016 for assessment whether it can be opened to the public or remain closed, together with seven other caves in the region (Polonio, 2016).
There are three points of interest in Dangwa Cave. First is the cave itself which offers beautiful rock formations. Second, there is an emerald green pool outside of one of the entrance of the cave. Third, you can do spelunking in Dangwa cave and its adjacent Bulalacao cave.
The Dangwa Cave
The first point of interest offered by Dangwa cave is, of course, the beautiful cave itself. Not much is known of the stone formations inside the cave as it is just on its beginning as a spelunking destination.
Below are rare photos posted online:
The Emerald Green Pool
Another point of interest in going to this site is an emerald green natural pool outside one of the entrances. This pool is connected to the Dangwa River.
Cave Connection
Interestingly, Dangwa cave is somewhat connected to Bulalacao Cave. Cave connection spelunking might be a thing in the future in this destination, like in Sagada caves.
Contact Person/Group
- Kapangan Tourism Facebook page
- Municipal Tourism Office address: Lomon, Paykek
- Municipal contact number: +63 998 577 6058; +63 907 705 4401
- LGU: (074) 619-0120
Registration/Guide Fees
- [Will be updated once information is available.]
How to Get to Dangwa Cave
- From outside Cordillera [lowlands]
- Get to Baguio City: Commute going to Baguio City thru a bus, though vans and jeepneys are also available among nearby municipalities. Fare depends on your origin. There are a lot of buses going up to Baguio City such a Victory Liner, Partas, Genesis, Joybus, minibuses from Region 1, etc. From Baguio City, transfer to a bus or PUJ bound to Kapangan.
- Baguio City to Kapangan: Commute either using bus or jeepney.
- Dakiwagan Bus and Dangwa Bus: Both are stationed at Dangwa terminal at the back of Baguio Centermall. Of the limited trips in a day, the earliest trip for both buses is at 5:30-6:00AM. Dakiwagan’s next trips are 10:30AM, and 3:00PM. Dangwa’s succeeding trips are 9:00AM, 10:30AM, 12:00NN, and 5:00PM. Both buses and PUJs are stationed at Dangwa Station at the back of Baguio Centermall.
- If you are in La Trinidad, you may want to wait fort the above buses in their stop overs in Marosan’s Restaurant and New Moon Restaurant (not sure which bus stops at which resto though) in Shilan at least 30 minutes interval from their departure time in Baguio City.
- Inform the conductor to or PUJ driver to drop you near Taba-ao barangay hall.
- Return trips are as follows:
- Dakiwagan Bus from Sagpat, Kibungan: 4:00AM, 7:00AM, and 11:00AM.
- Dangwa Bus from Poblacion, Kibungan: 3:00AM, 5:00AM, 7:00AM (undependable), 11:00AM, 3:00PM, 5:00PM
Any fees, scheduled trips, routes, or facilities mentioned here are subject to change according to existing and current government, private, or association rules.
Notable Nearby Caves
- Longog Cave
- Bulalacao Cave (Bolinsak Cave)
- Kibatay Cave
Reminders
- Be early in going to Kapangan if you plan on going back to Baguio City on the same day.
- Get in touch with the local government unit and to verify any changes in transportation schedules, fees, temporary closure of sites, etc. This will also give them time to prepare especially if you are going there as a group.
- Be courteous to the locals, tourism and local guidelines, the culture, and of the place itself.
- Always practice leave-no-trace principle. I have to highlight to please not leave anything inside, do not vandalize, and do not take any physical memento from the cave. Whether it is under the protection of the DENR or not, treat nature with respect.
- Wear appropriate and comfortable non-slip, close-toed rubber shoes.
References
DENR Memorandum Circular No. 2012-03. List of Classified caves [pdf file]. Retrieved on 13 August 2019 from https://server2.denr.gov.ph/uploads/rmdd/dmc-2012-03.pdf
Polonio, J. M. (2016). 8 caves in CAR set for assessment. Retrieved on 13 August 2019 from https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/80367
Embedded Images:
Agyao, F. (2019 Oct 12). [Facebook status update]. Retrieved on 2019 Nov 18 from https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=942545259429190&set=pcb.942564146093968&type=3&theater
Baglan, N. (2019 March 28). In Kapangan, Benguet [Facebook status update]. Retrieved on 2019 Nov 18 from https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1232165220275899&set=pcb.1232166373609117&type=3&theater
Kapangan Tourism. (2019 Aug 8). Dangwa cave (Taba-ao) [Facebook status update]. Retrieved on 12 Aug 2019 from https://www.facebook.com/kapangantourism/photos/p.106325020722305/106325020722305/?type=1
