29 January 2012

Palawan River Hailed Confirmed As N7WN


The Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) has formally taken its place as one the New 7 Wonders of Nature (N7WN), and is expected to add more mileage to the government’s renewed drive to sell the Philippines as a prime tourist destination.
N7WN President Dr. Bernard Weber announced the official confirmation of the PPUR during a press briefing in Pasay City Saturday.
Weber also put to rest speculations that the N7WN contest was a scam.

“If we were a shady organization, I wouldn’t be here right now,” he said. “When success comes, there also comes envy, deceit, and people who will want to make up things to put an organization down. There really is nothing we can do against that.”
PPUR is the second N7WN to be confirmed, after Korea’s Jeju Island.
The remaining five provisional N7WN are the Amazon (South America), Halong Bay (Vietnam), Iguazu Falls (Argentina/Brazil), Komodo (Indonesia), and Table Mountain (South Africa).
The sites are going through the three steps of verification process: National voting validation, global voting calculation confirmation by an independent audit firm, and the preparation and implementation of the Official Inauguration ceremonies.
Weber thanked Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn for marshalling the enthusiastic participation of Filipinos in ensuring the victory of the Palawan river.
Hagedorn said President Benigno S. Aquino III’s full support for the PPUR made a big difference, and the people responded to his lead “by voting in the millions to cement the position of PPUR in the contest.”
He also recognized the efforts of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, who encouraged all local officials to vote for PPUR, the sole Philippine entry to the contest, and Environment Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje, who also urged all environmental groups to lend a hand.
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez also played a big part in the PPUR’s triumph since the site was promoted not only as a tourism draw, but as an environmental wonder, hosting as it is the 20-million-year-old fossil of a sea cow or “dugong” imbedded on the limestone face of the subterranean river.
Weber said the river is now “poised to become a big magnet for tourists and those engaged in learning about environmental protection.”
Hagedorn noted that since PPUR solidified its position in the N7WN contest, the number of visitors to Puerto Princesa grew from 150,000 annually to about 500,000, “and the victory of the subterranean river will surely lure more tourists to the city.”
He predicted that in due time, the number of visitors may reach one million.
Hagedorn stressed that after PPUR took a commanding lead in the year-long race, he noted the huge influx of visitors to Puerto Princesa City. From the usual one flight daily, the number of daily flights rose to 11.
After the official confirmation, the New7Wonders together with the local government of Puerto Princesa will plan the official inauguration of PPUR where it will be awarded with a bronze plaque within the year. Weber said the foundation is already planning an international symposium for the N7WN to coordinate and to exchange experiences regarding sustainable tourism.
“The main purpose of the N7WN is to serve as a magnet, to guide the tourist influx to other parts in the country which might need more development in terms of tourism,” he said.
Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Saturday the inclusion of the Palawan river in the N7WN was a victory not just for the people of Puerto Princesa but for Filipinos in general, since many supported the cause through on-line and text voting.
“We hope that this would draw more people to see our underground river,” Valte said in an interview with government radio dzRB. (Additional report from JC Bello Ruiz)
By JACKY LYNNE A. OIGA and MARVYN N. BENANING
mb.com.ph

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