Arroyo urges Bicolanos to push Mayon for 7 Wonders
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 14:24:00 05/06/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo urged Bicolanos to nominate Mayon Volcano for inclusion among the new Seven Wonders of the World as she vowed to speed development of the region to attract more tourists.
"Dapat lahat ng taga-Albay [at] lahat ng taga-Bicol ay bumoto [sa] www.new7wonders.com para sa Mayon Volcano [All residents of Albay and residents of Bicol should vote at www.new7wonders.com for Mayon Volcano]," Arroyo said in a speech during her visit to the Pistang Bayan in Oas, Albay, which was aired n government station Radyo ng Bayan.
Among the projects Arroyo announced were the construction of an international airport in Daraga, Albay and the repair of roads leading to Oas town to make the province more accessible to tourists.
She said the national government has started negotiating with private landowners for the acquisition of their properties for the airport and access roads.
The active Mayon Volcano in Albay is famed for its near-perfect cone.
"I-promote natin ang turismo ng Albay. After all, ano ba ang original na tourist attraction ng Bicol? Walang iba kundi Mayon Volcano [Let us promote tourism in Albay. After all, what is the original tourist attraction of Bicol? No other than Mayon Volcano]," Arroyo said.
Arroyo also campaigned for Tubbataha Reef and the Underground River in Palawan, and Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, which are also contending for inclusion in the Seven Wonders and are currently among the top 20 in the list of new wonders.
The new Seven Wonders will be declared in 2010 by the New7Wonders Foundation, at whose website can vote for or nominate their choices.
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