San Remigio: Tourists and residents are temporarily barred from visiting the Igbaclag Cave in Barangay Aningalan in San Remigio, Antique, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) said Friday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the cave's temporary closure is meant to allow the ecosystem, including the forest, to recover, as stated by Ruth Martinez, MENRO officer, in an interview. The recommendation for closure was made by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Executive Director Raul Lorilla in a letter to Mayor Margarito Mission Jr. dated April 7, 2025.

Lorilla's letter highlighted a rapid assessment of the cave conducted by the DENR and the Western Visayas Caving Association on March 6 and 7. The assessment discovered collapsed boulders at one of the entrances leading to the cave's balcony, while the other two entrances are heavily obstructed with mud, making them unsuitable for ecotourism purposes.

In 2017, an assessment team recommended that Igbaclag Cave be reclassified as Class II, indicating areas with hazardous conditions and sensitive geological, archeological, cultural, historical, and biological values or high-quality ecosystems, in accordance with DENR Memorandum Circular Number 2007-04.

Lorilla also mentioned that the Regional Ecotourism Committee Meeting recently recommended the closure of the Igbaclag Cave for ecotourism and related activities until a detailed assessment of the area and formulation of a management plan are completed.

Martinez expressed hope that the closure would last only a year or two, noting that Igbaclag Cave is one of the most visited tourism destinations in San Remigio. Barangay Aningalan officials are ensuring that the temporary restriction is enforced.

Igbaclag Cave is known for its unique features, including two varieties of Rafflesia flowers - the speciosa and lobata species - growing in the surrounding forest. Additionally, a unique species of frog, yet to be identified, can be found inside the cave.