Puerto Princesa Underground River is one of ‘New Seven Wonders of Nature’

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MANILA (MindanaoExaminer / Jan. 28, 2012) – The Philippines’ underground river in Puerto Princesa City in the province of Palawan has been chosen as among the world’s New Seven Wonders of Nature.

The underground river, which measures about 5 miles, is a popular tourist destination in the country and has been declared as a world heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

“Confirmation that the Puerto Princesa Underground Riveris 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 sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

He said: “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.”

According to the organizers of the global poll, the others included in the New Seven Wonders of Nature are the Amazon rainforest; Vietnam’s HalongBay; Argentina’s Iguazu Falls; South Korea’s Jeju Island, Indonesia’s Komodo, and South Africa’s Table Mountain.