MANILA, Philippines –
Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) was declared as one of the
New 7 Wonders of Nature, a Palace official said on Saturday, January 28.
"Confirmation that the Puerto Princesa Underground River is one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature is welcome news indeed. Throughout the competition, Filipinos from all walks of life have given time, energy, and resources to this campaign," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.
Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) is known to be the longest navigable underground river in the world and is now confirmed as one of the New7Wonders of Nature.
The world will see how breath-taking this place would be. Photograph by Ash Reginald Evasco.
"This effort has raised awareness not only overseas, but nationally as well: visits to the PPUR have increased tremendously.
“This is proof positive of how effective a national effort of this sort can be—to build awareness, express pride, and achieve results," says Lacierda.
President Benigno S. Aquino III urged all Filipinos here and abroad to vote and support the country’s pride, the Puerto Princesa Underground River, as one of the finalists in the global search for the
New 7 Wonders of Nature back in 2011.
For his part, Bernard Weber, founding president of
New7Wonders, congratulated the people of the Philippines for supporting their national finalist in the global campaign.
Weber appreciated what President Aquino did to bolster the campaign, “When your very own President Aquino came out in support of the PPUR campaign, I knew that this country was taking the New7Wonders of Nature seriously.
“Fans of PPUR all over the world responded to his call for action by voting in record numbers and today’s confirmation is the well-earned reward for this extraordinary display of enthusiasm,” adds Weber.
During the Saturday meeting with Puerto Princesa Mayor
Edward Hagedorn, PPUR campaign coordinator
Nardz Villafranca, and New7Wonders
director Jean-Paul de la Fuente,
New7Wonders founding president Weber extended his congratulations to the Filipino people for the support it has given to PPUR.
Officials discussed the arrangement of the official inauguration events and the implementation of the strategic plan for promoting
PPUR using its title as one of the
New7Wonders of Nature.
“This confirmation is wonderful news for Puerto Princesa, and a great example of how now
its more fun to be in the Philippines.
“World-wide exposure of our natural beauty on this level is critical both for tourism and for our image nationally and internationally,” adds Hagedorn.
Following Jeju Island, Puerto Princesa Underground River is the second to be confirmed on a preliminary basis, as New7Wonders has now completed the telephone voting validation in the Philippines.
The remaining five provisional New7Wonders of Nature are currently undergoing the three steps of the verification process, namely the national voting validation, the global voting calculation confirmation by an independent audit firm, and the preparation and implementation of the Official Inauguration ceremonies.
