Embassies join drive for Puerto Princesa Underground River

Puerto Princesa Underground River

Barely two weeks before the announcement of the winners of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, the country’s 94 embassies and consulates worldwide have joined the home office in actively campaigning for the inclusion of the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) in the N7WN, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The DFA has renewed calls for the over eight million Filipinos overseas to help the PPUR’s bid to garner a distinct spot on the international tourist map, Raul Hernandez, the agency’s spokesperson said Thursday.

The DFA “hopes to have the PPUR proclaimed as one of the N7WN on November 11. It is a matter of national pride and patriotism, and it will also benefit the Philippine tourism industry as a whole,” Hernandez told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Proclamation 182

He noted that “under Proclamation 182, issued on June 3 by Malacañang, all Filipinos here and abroad are encouraged to help in the campaign to ensure that the PPUR be named of the N7WN.”

“In this regard, the Philippine embassies and consulates are actively campaigning and providing support to the PPUR’s bid on orders of Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, who is a member of the N7WN Campaign Task Force,” disclosed Hernandez.

Last week, visitors to the Fairfield Showground in Prairiewood, New South Wales in Australia voted online for the PPUR, said the Philippine consulate in Sydney in a report to the DFA.

In the Czech Republic, Ambassador Evelyn Garcia campaigns for the PPUR to the Filipino community in European state via social networking sites.

The envoy also engaged travel writers from the biggest dailies in Prague to promote the PPUR and the Philippines as a destination for Czech travelers.

Meanwhile, the surprise visit over the weekend of Bernard Weber, president and founder of the Switzerland-based N7WN has buoyed the chances of the PPUR to win a spot in the online listing of the world’s natural wonders.

Very impressed

Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn quoted Weber as having called the PPUR a “masterpiece of nature,” and described the tourist attraction “like being in paradise.”

“(Weber) was very impressed,” Hagedorn told the Inquirer.

When interviewed, Hagedorn cited President Aquino for leading the campaign for the PPUR’s inclusion in the N7WN.

The 8.2-kilometer PPUR is competing against a number of natural sites worldwide, including the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, Angel Falls in Venezuela, Black Forest in Germany, Dead Sea in Israel, Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and the Amazon River in South America.

Hagedorn pointed out that “the Amazon’s bid alone is being backed by at least nine countries in South America.”

“That is why, I strongly agree with the President who said earlier, ‘Each and every Filipino has a role to play and place the PPUR in its rightful throne in the N7WN,’ and that ‘This is a situation where we can carve out our future…This is our chance. This is our hope,’” he noted.

Like Mr. Aquino, Hagedorn appealed to all Filipinos worldwide to “take part in democracy in action to benefit not just the PPUR but the entire Philippine environment.”

“Let’s help our very own PPUR get a spot on the international tourist map,” he said.

Being recognized as one of the N7WN would multiply the Palawan capital’s tourist arrivals ten-fold, according to Hagedorn.

Some 425,000 tourists visited the PPUR last year, up from 200,000 in 2009. The city expects more than 550,000 to visit this year.

The PPUR is the sole nominee from the Philippines in the N7WN.

Online voters may register at www.new7wonders.com. Only one vote is allowed for each registered e-mail address.

Votes may also be sent via SMS (short message sending or text message). To vote for the PPUR, simply send PPUR to 2861 (all networks ).