An Invitation

Dear Fellow Cavers,


Caves are among the most beautiful places on earth. It has considerable value not only in terms of its beauty but also in its historical, economic, social, scientific and environmental importance. Yet caves are amongst the least explored and understood places. Their ecosystems are among the most vulnerable and easily destroyed.

Caves are also a viable attraction for tourism and the economic benefits it brings effects the whole value chain. But without a solid cave management plan that takes into account the relationship between conservation and tourism, there is always the possibility that we end up destroying the every thing we are promoting in the first place.

The establishing of protected areas and cave management programs, by themselves, are not enough to ensure our caves protection and conservation. Proper management of caves demands specific expertise. Education of personnel and communities as well as inter-agency cooperation and streamlining of existing policies are essential for a successful cave management program.


On May 2009, the Philippine Cave Guides Association Inc. (PCGA), together with the NATURE UNLIMITED, Leyte Outdoor Club Inc (NULOC), the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Municipal Government of Basey Samar, will host the Philippine Speleological Society Cave Congress 2009 with the theme, “FINDING THE BALANCE BETWEEN CONSERVATION AND TOURISM”.

The general objectives of this congress are:
1. To enhance the technical capability of the participants to be able to conduct a safe and more thorough cave assessment.
2. To come up with a resolution for policy recommendation for a more streamlined and dynamic cave management program that would take in consideration the connection between conservation and tourism

The Cave Congress will be a week long event and will be held on May 11 – 15, 2009 at Basey Samar. There will be seven simultaneous activities: four technical trainings, two tours and the plenary session. We have also invited three international speakers plus a host of local experts in related fields of study.

OUR INVITATION. The Philippine Cave Guides Association on behalf of all the other sponsors would like to invite your organization to attend this yearly gathering. Attached are other pertinent information regarding the event. We will be finalizing arrangements by March 2009, and will be contacting your group from time to time. For more information contact us at psscavecongress@yahoo.com or the following addresses provided with this letter.

Looking forward to seeing you at the congress!

Sincerely

Jason Garrido
Philippine Cave Guides Association
Congress Director

Dir. Karina Tiopes
Regional Director
Department of Tourism Region 8


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