DENR requires treasure hunters to get permits

By TJ BurgonioPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 09:59pm (Mla time) 12/19/2007
MANILA, Philippines

Oops, hold it right there. You can't dig treasures inside caves without permit. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has issued an administrative order requiring treasure hunters to secure a permit before digging in caves across the country. Administrative Order No. 2007-34 was aimed at conserving, protecting and managing the flora and fauna in the caves from destructive treasure hunting, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza said.

"It is a national policy that the State should have full control and supervision in the discovery and disposition of hidden treasures in caves,'' he said.

The order governs the issuance of permits for the collection of hidden treasures in caves within public domain and private lands.

It complements Republic Act No. 9072, also known as the National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act.

"There's an ecosystem inside caves that should be protected from destructive treasure hunting activities,'' Director Mundita Lim of the Protected Area and Wildlife Bureau said in a phone interview.

The rich flora and fauna inside more than 1,000 caves across the country risk getting damaged by diggings, she said.

Over the years, there have been continuing reports about individuals digging caves in mountains in search of the famed Yamashita treasure.

Under the order, an individual, a partnership, association, cooperative, or corporation may apply for a permit upon payment of P10,000 application fee at the regional office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

The permit is effective for one year, and may be renewed only once for another year.
The applicant is required to post a surety bond with the Government Service Insurance System or any accredited bonding company to guarantee payment for whatever damage that may be incurred during digging and excavations.

This is apart from the rehabilitation fee that will be posted by the applicant as a guarantee payment for disasters of adverse impacts on communities, according to the order. Teams from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will monitor the treasure hunting activities to ensure the permit holder's compliance with the conditions of the permit.

Once hidden treasures are dug up, the National Museum will be called to assess whether these are of cultural and historical value. If they have such a value, they will be turned over to the Museum.

Otherwise, they will be turned over to the Oversight Committee for Treasure Hunting.
Of treasures recovered within public lands, 75 percent will go to the government and the rest to the permit holder. With regards to treasures dug up on private land, 30 percent will go to government, and the rest to the permit holder and landowner.

The permit will be cancelled once the terms are violated.