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The Puerto Princesa Underground
River Entrance. PPUR is officially one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature
(photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/)
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It has been official: Puerto Princesa
Underground River (PPUR) had been declared one of the New Seven Wonders of
Nature. The New Seven Wonders of Nature (N7WN) President Dr. Bernard Weber made
the announcement on January 28, 2012 at a press briefing held at Heritage Hotel
in Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines.
Dr. Weber handed over a framed certificate
to Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn as a proof for the prestigious
citation. “I am proud to confirm that PPUR is now one of the New7Wonders of
Nature; preparations for the proclamation are underway.” Mayor Hagedorn proudly
announced.
PPUR got a total of 20 million votes based
on a global tally.
The other six sites which round up the
elite list are:
1.)
Jeju Island in Korea
2.)
The Amazon River in South
America
3.)
Halong Bay in Vietnam
4.)
Iguazu Falls in Argentina/
Brazil
5.)
Komodo National Park in
Indonesia
6.)
Table Mountain in Cape Town,
South Africa
PPUR is the second wonder to be confirmed,
next to the Jeju Island of Korea.
There is a rigorous three-step
verification process which all the sites undergo:
1.)
National Voting Validation
2.)
Global Voting Calculation
Confirmation by an independent audit firm
3.)
Preparation and Implementation
of the Official Inauguration Ceremonies.
According to Mayor Hagedorn, the full
support of President Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III had been a big factor. The
president even issued Proclamation
No. 182 “Declaring a National and International Promotion Campaign for Puerto
Princesa UndergroundRiver as one of New Seven Wonders of Nature”
During that time, no less than President Benigno S.
Aquino III himself urged and convinced the public, “There are 80 million cell
phone users in the Philippines, sending two billion messages a day. If we need
a billion votes to win, that’s only half a day.”
“Throughout the competition, Filipinos
from all walks of life have given time, energy and resources to this campaign,”
presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda stressed.
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The Puerto Princesa Underground
River Entrance view from the inside. PPUR is confirmed as one of the New Seven
Wonders of Nature (N7WN) on January 28, 2012 (photo courtesy of
http://www.flickr.com/photos/)
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Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail
Valte said yesterday the inclusion of the PPUR in the N7WN was a victory not
just for the people of Puerto Princesa but for Filipinos in general, since many
supported the cause through on-line and text voting.
Dr. Weber moreovercommented that river
is now “poised to become a big magnet for tourists and those engaged in
learning about environmental protection
PPUR is the longest navigable underground
river in the world. It is managed by the local government of Puerto Princesa
spearheaded by Mayor Hagedorn.
It is also the first national park to be
cited for its best practices in biodiversity conservation and sustainable
tourism.
Related blog:
Sources:
Manila Bulletin http://www.mb.com.ph/
Philippine Star http://www.philstar.com/
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One of the attractions in the
Puerto Princesa Underground Rive (PPUR) is this human skull-like formation. No
doubt it gained 20 million votes assuring a spot in the New Seven Wonders of
Nature (N7WN) (photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/)
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