Manila: Officials greeted with jubilation reports that a western Philippine underground river complex had been included among the world’s new natural wonders.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda, who is accompanying President Benigno Aquino III on a trip to the Hawaii to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, said the inclusion of the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) is a boon, not just for Palawan, but for the whole country.
“We are heartened to hear that our Puerto Princesa Underground River is one of the provisional winners for the New7Wonders competition. While the final results will be announced in 2012, we congratulate everyone, especially the people, who made this all possible. With this, we sincerely hope that the rest of the world will stand up and notice the majesty not just of the underground river but the rest of the Philippines,” Lacierda, in a radio interview, said from Hawaii.
Likewise, Senator Loren Legarda today expressed jubilation over the inclusion of the Puerto Princesa Underground River in the New Seven Wonders of Nature as she stressed the need to strengthen efforts to protect and preserve the country’s natural heritage.
“I congratulate our government, and most especially the city government of Puerto Princesa, led by Mayor Edward Hagedorn, for its efforts and intensive campaign to make this possible,” she said.
“The result that was released is still being verified by the New7Wonders Foundation, but with the exceptional beauty of the world’s longest navigable underground river, we have good reason to hope that it would be one of the official New Seven Wonders of Nature. What is actually more important than being included in this list of wonders is the continuous preservation not only of the Puerto Princesa Underground River but also of the other natural resources which we are very fortunate to have,” Legarda stressed.
Senator Pia Cayetano, for her part, said: “The PPUR’s inclusion in the provisional list of winners affirms the Philippines’ reputation as a world-class eco-tourism destination by virtue of our rich biodiversity, breathtaking natural wonders and friendly people.
She said making the final list is a major accomplishment considering that the contenders originally included more than 400 entries from over 200 nations when the poll began in 2007.
“This proves how we as a people could unite and harness our online and texting power to rally behind one cause.”
“Filipinos have access to the world through various forms of social media. Let us use our strength in this area to continue to promote the beautiful destinations in our country.”
She concluded: “Let’s hope and pray that that the PPUR makes it to the final list of winners when all the votes have been verified. May this initial victory not only instill national pride in us, but also awareness and genuine concern to conserve our rich natural resources.”
As one of the New Seven Wonders, the underground river would attract more tourists to Puerto Princesa.
However, more visitors would also mean that it would be more exposed to exploitation by both tourists and tourism-related entrepreneurs who would want to gain more at the expense of this natural wealth.
