PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III urged all Filipinos here and abroad to vote and support the country’s pride, the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR), as one of the finalists inthe global search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The President made the pitch right after he signed the proclamation order urging all nationalgovernment agencies, local government units, students and even overseas Filipino workersto join hands in the aggressive voting campaign thru internet and SMS (short messaging system).
In his speech, the President said if the 80 million Filipino cellular phone users participate in the campaign the PPUR has a big chance to win in the competition that would help spur the country’s tourism and create thousands of job opportunities to the people.
“As of now, the country has no less than 80 million Filipino cellular phone users. All we need is 1 billion votes,” President said as he cited the almost 2 million texts recorded by the leading telecommunication companies in their daily operations.
As more Filipinos are now actively using internet as another tool in communication, thePresident urged them to vote the Philippine environment at www.new7wondersofnature orsimply text PPUR15 to 2861.
During the program, Bernard Webber, president and founder of the New 7 Wonder of Nature,officially designated Puerto Princesa as one of the 28 finalists for the new 7 wonder of naturecategory. Renowned as the world’s longest underground river, Puerto Princesa Underground River features a stunning limestone karst mountain landscape, impressive cave systems,impressive stalactites and stalagmites formations, lush old growth tropical rain forest and interesting wildlife. The subterranean river spans 8.2 kilometers long and flows beneathstalactites and stalagmites formation.
The Underground River beat 440 other contenders to be one of the 28 finalists for the New 7Wonders of Nature Campaign. The voting period will end on November 10 and winners will be announced on the following day (November 11). (PCOO)
