CATBALOGAN, Philippines – Over the weekend, the City Government of Catbalogan, through the City Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Information Office (CTCAIO), made an exciting exploration of hidden natural wonders in the upland barangays.
In partnership with the Samar Mountaineering and Outdoor Club, Inc. (SAMOC) and local nature enthusiasts, the team documented and assessed the tourism potential of lesser-known yet captivating destinations: the Binobocalan Cave, the tranquil Blue Lagoon, and its exhilarating rapids in Barangay Cagutian, on February 1-2, 2025.
This initiative is part of Catbalogan City Mayor Dexter Uy’s broader tourism development program, #KahusayCatbalogan, which aims to discover, document, and evaluate hidden gems in the city’s upland areas. The goal is to identify pristine sites that, with careful development, could attract both local and international tourists, fostering sustainable economic growth for the city.
The 19-member team began their journey early on the first day, meeting at the City Bus Terminal before boarding a bus bound for San Vicente. From there, they continued their journey via private motorcycles, DRRM vehicle and habal-habal (motorcycle taxis) — the essential transport for navigating the rugged terrain of remote areas like the eight-kilometer, scenic but bumpy road from San Vicente to Cagutian. Upon arrival, the group paid a courtesy call to barangay officials and soldiers from the 46th Infantry Battalion, who are stationed at a nearby village shed. They informed the community of their intentions and plans to camp overnight while documenting the area’s natural wonders.
Among the team was Ricky Bautista, an experienced hiker, caver, and SAMOC leader, who took a leading role in documenting the sites. His knowledge of the local terrain and his ability to assess natural locations for tourism potential were key to the exploration’s success.
Aside from Bautista, CTCAIO staff members Ronaldo “Bambie” Espino, April Geraldine Mabag, and Jim Moroni Delos Reyes, along with City Hall employees John Doblon, Aura Tan, Vicente Tan III, and Mervi Badar also joiner the effort. Tourism Head Ador Hurtado was unable to join due to a last-minute emergency.
SAMOC Inc. members, including Dr. Ronald Orale, Liezl O. Bautista, Victor Pol Llana, Brylle General, Mark Chester Ilao, Dennis Anthony Salazar, Rodney Cabrera, and club applicants Larry Mark Orbong, Clinton Dimaano, and Jerome Briones, led the team through the caves and lagoon, sharing their expertise in natural exploration.
The team trekked through Barangay Cagutian, a short five-minute walk from the barangay proper, to reach the serene Blue Lagoon, a hidden gem with clear white rapids ideal for water tubing and swimming. A few meters further, the stunning 800-meter-long Binobocalan Cave offers an exciting adventure for nature lovers and cavers.
Inside, explorers encounter natural water showers, thigh- to neck-deep water passages, and striking soda-straw stalactites near the cave’s end. For the more daring, the cave also features a 100-meter-deep pit for rappelling.
These newly documented sites, which amazed both city officials and nature enthusiasts, are prime examples of Catbalogan’s untapped tourism potential. They offer both adventure and tranquility for future visitors.
Beyond photography and documentation, the exploration included a thorough assessment of Barangay Cagutian’s eco-tourism potential. CTCAIO and SAMOC officials provided guidance to the barangay, advising them on best practices for developing these tourism sites while preserving their natural beauty. They also emphasized the importance of maintaining the area’s pristine condition and shared a list of dos and don’ts for sustainable tourism.
The team gained a deeper understanding of the hardships faced by the community, particularly due to the poor road conditions. They experienced firsthand the treacherous, muddy roads, and their government service vehicle stuck in the mud. Some team members even had an accident while riding habal-habal on their way back after the documentation.
The challenging road conditions, especially in the vicinity of Cagutian, present a major obstacle to the city’s tourism campaign. Without improved infrastructure, tourists are unlikely to visit the caves, rapids, or other local attractions. In response, community members have urged the team to bring the issue of poor roads to the attention of relevant government agencies.
Ronaldo Espino of CTCAIO emphasized, “To make these hidden treasures more accessible to the public, the city needs to invest in developing infrastructure and facilities that support sustainable tourism.”
In the coming days, a meeting will be scheduled with barangay officials and private evaluators to gather insights and suggestions for promoting Cagutian’s eco-tourism sites. Espino added, “We will guide them. With your help, we can regulate habal-habal services, train local guides, and educate the community.”
Victor Pol Llana of SAMOC also expressed their club’s commitment, stating, “If there’s a need or opportunity to adopt these sites, we’re more than willing to help train and organize community tour guides and educate barangay officials on Leave No Trace principles.”
To promote the place, SAMOC members said the place is a perfect venue of their upcoming activity “Duyan Festival with Advanced Mountaineering Course (AMC)” in April 2025. “Hopefully, the city support this idea of inviting local tourists and influencers to introduce the place.”
Building on successful past collaborations, such as last year’s joint exploration of Central Caves 1 and 2 in Barangay Cawayan, CTCAIO and SAMOC continue to evaluate potential tourism spots. The evaluation of Central Cave 1, a technical cave, and Central Cave 2, suitable for intermediate cavers, as well as Kulador, the source of Catbalogan’s drinking water, and nearby Bangon Falls, revealed strong potential for tourism development.
The City Government, through CTCAIO under Ador Hurtado’s leadership, is mapping, documenting, and evaluating each site for suitability in different types of tourism offerings, whether eco-tourism, adventure tourism, or cultural experiences.
“The objective is not just to preserve these natural wonders, but also to create economic opportunities for local communities while maintaining the environmental integrity of these sites,” Hurtado said.
Councilor Stephany Uy Tan, chairperson of the Committee on Tourism, Culture, and Arts, has also championed the development of Cagutian’s tourism potential. “Cagutian has so many beautiful tourist destinations, including camping sites and caves. The city will surely develop and promote this area.”
For Catbalogan, the exploration of Barangay Cagutian marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the city’s tourism development. As Catbalogan continues to uncover and refine its tourism offerings, attractions like the caves, lagoons, and rapids in Barangay Cagutian hold the potential to become popular destinations for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers, further establishing Catbalogan as a must-visit destination in Samar.
— The Samar Chronicle with additional reporting from CTCAIO.
