The Philippine Consul General in New York has urged Filipino-Americans in the North East to support a global campaign to include the Puerto Princesa Underground River in the new Seven Wonders of Nature list.
“If successful, the inclusion of the Underground River on the list will immensely raise the profile of the Philippines as an attractive environment-friendly destination,” Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. said in a recent statement.
“(It) can greatly help in uplifting the Philippine tourism industry with potentially more economic gains for the nation as a whole,” he added.
A poll is being conducted by New7Wonders Foundation, a Swiss-based organization that also conducted the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007. Over a billion people around the world are anticipated to vote by phone, the internet or via mobile phone text messaging.
The Puerto Princesa underground river is the only Philippine natural site currently on the top 14 of official finalist candidates. The 29 candidates on the list were selected by a panel of international experts from 77 contenders.
The 8.2-kilometer long underground river in Puerto Princesa is located in the Palawan island province in the Philippines . The area is known as a rich haven for native flora and fauna. It is situated within the St. Paul Subterranean Park which is approximately 2 hours north of the provincial capital of Puerto Princesa.
Deemed the longest underground river in the world, this body of water in Palawan was declared a National Geological Monument in 2003. It was also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
De Leon said his appeal is in response to President Aquino’s recent proclamation declaring the campaign for the Puerto Princesa underground river a national priority.
President Aquino had said it is “crucial that Filipinos throughout the world aggressively promote the Puerto Princesa Underground River to ensure its inclusion as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, De Leon added.
“Filipinos living abroad in other countries, could vote in this grand undertaking out of love for their country and patriotism,” De Leon said.
To vote and get more information about the Puerto Princesa Underground River , please visit the online site: www.new7wonders.com/archives/wonder/puerto-princesa-underground-river.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
