By Joel C. Escol
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A video of an underground river and cave in a remote barangay of this city has gone viral with almost 1 million views and thousands of comments from all over the country.
Situated in the remote sitio of Lerupan, Barangay Pagalungan, it was recently visited by Clyd Vlog, one of the popular vloggers in the city, who showed video footage of the river which immediately attracted the attention of many netizens.
Video grab of Pagalungan Underground River from Cloyd Vlog 2
Many of the netizens and nature lovers have expressed their appreciation for this so-called untouched gem of the city which was heretofore only known to sitio residents.
However, there are also other videos of the place posted online as early as two years ago which seem to refute this, and also confusingly report its location as Barangay Lumbia.
Clyd Vlog in his blog said the Barangay officials of Pagalungan should have shown interest to promote this hidden wonder of the City, like what officials did in Puerto Princesa Palawan.
“This is a big boost to the barangay officials and this is a very potential tourism attraction from all the Philippines,” the vlogger said, adding that this is one of the best natural attractions he has ever seen.
RA 9072 Cave Act
Roberto Plaza, one of those who watched the video commented that based on Republic Act 9072, otherwise known as the Cave Act, anyone who wishes to enter a cave must coordinate with the barangay, tourism office and CENRO-DENR.
Plaza said citing RA 9072, all people who want to enter a cave should undergo “cave orientation” about the do’s and don’ts for their own safety.
“No one should even enter a cave without wearing a skull guard, helmet with a head lamp or through a trained cave guide. Please coordinate to the right government agency before posting any videos prior to the government’s cave assessment,” he said.
Not much later, Councilor Jay Roa Pascual, chairman of the Cagayan de Oro City Council Tourism Committee, likewise explored the previously little known underground river and cavern, and also posted a video of a complete walk through online.
Getting There
The place is approximately 7.3 kilometers from Brgy Lumbia Proper through a well-paved 2-lane road. There are three major junctions along the way to take note: (1) Junction to Sanitary Landfill, (2) Junction to Pagalungan Brgy Hall, and (3) Junction to Tagpangi Brgy Hall.
A maintenance fee of P40 (adults) and P5 (children) is charged for visitors to the growing attraction.
Pagalungan is situated at approximately 8.3970, 124.5551, in the island of Mindanao. Elevation at these coordinates is estimated at 95.0 meters or 311.7 feet above mean sea level.
It shares a common border with the following barangays: Taglimao, San Simon, and Tagpangi, Cagayan de Oro City, and Bagocboc, Opol, Misamis Oriental.
