Aquino urges Filipinos to unite and work
together in preserving country's natural wonders
President Benigno S. Aquino III called on the
Filipino people to continue working together in caring and preserving the
country’s natural wonders to ensure environmental sustainability that will
buttress the government’s efforts towards economic progress and development.
In his speech during the official inauguration
of the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) as one of the world’s New Seven
Wonders of Nature (N7WN) at the One Esplanade Open Grounds in Pasay City on
Friday night, President Aquino issued the call stressing the people’s responsibility
in the preservation of the environment to make sure that the country’s
world-class tourist spots retain their natural splendor.
“This honor reminds us of how truly blessed our
country is and of how it is our task as Filipinos not to take these blessings
for granted. We have to act as responsible stewards and this means valuing our
natural resources and ensuring the environmental sustainability of all our
development efforts,” the President said.
“Let us remember, tourism, however, must be
nurtured and sustained, and the best way to do that is to take care of sites
like the Underground River—not in words but most importantly in deeds… let us
protect it, preserve it and make sure that it retains the natural wonder, the
same goes for all our other natural treasures,” he added.
The Chief Executive also noted the cooperation
and unity of the Filipino people which landed the PPUR as one of the New 7
Wonders of Nature making it through a stiff global competition.
“Today it gives me hope not only for the success
of our future tourism efforts but also for our continued success along the
straight and righteous path,” the President said.
“If we put in the kind of work that brought us
to this day, if government and the private sector continue working together, if
we take pride in our country and continue fulfilling our individual roles no
matter how big or small, then we can be sure that our successes will not stop
here. Our country will continue to stand strong and progressive guided by the
broad light of day,” he noted.
President Aquino thanked everyone for the
collective efforts which made the PPUR not only one of the country’s pride but
also the pride of the world.
“I thank everyone who participated in this
effort—from those who led the campaign, and most especially those who joined us
in sending their text and internet votes. The Puerto Princesa Underground River
is the pride of Palawan... now it is the pride of the world because it has
officially been named one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature,” he said.
“I’m especially proud to be here because this
is, after all, a collective success in the face of tremendous competition. When
we got to the finalists’ round, there were 27 other finalists and millions of
other voters from all over the world. We pulled together and once again put the
Philippines on the map,” he noted.
President Aquino received the award (plaque)
from New7Wonders president and founder Bernard Weber signaling the official
inauguration of the PPUR as one of the World’s Seven Wonders of Nature.
Present to witness the event were Interior and
Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez,
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje, Presidential
Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. and
Puerto Princesa Palawan Mayor Edward Hagedorn.
The Puerto Princesa Underground River is located
some 50 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa in Palawan. It consists
of a limestone karst mountain landscape, several large chambers containing
significant formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and an 8.2 km navigable
underground river that winds through a cave before flowing directly into the
West Philippine Sea. At the exit, a flawless lagoon is framed by ancient trees
growing right to the water’s edge.
The other six included in the N7WN are Amazon
River (South Africa), Halong Bay (Vietnam), Iguazo Falls (Argentina/Brazil),
Jeju Island (South Korea), Komodo National Park (Indonesia) and Table Mountain
(South Africa). (PCOO)
.
Aquino calls on local and foreign tourists to
visit country's natural wonders/eco-tourism destinations
President Benigno S. Aquino III said that the
government has identified several new eco-tourism destinations in the country
apart from those which are already existing as he encouraged local and foreign
tourists to visit and personally experience the world-class tourist spots in
the Philippines that serve as the pride of the Filipino people.
In his message during the official inauguration
of the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) as one of the world’s New Seven
Wonders of Nature (N7WN) at the One Esplanade Open Grounds in Pasay City on
Friday night, President Aquino bared that the various concerned agencies of the
government has been focused in promoting the country’s existing and
newly-identified tourist spots that may provide more economic opportunities for
the people.
“I am happy to tell you that the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Tourism are working
together to market even more natural wonders in our country as eco-tourism
destinations. I understand that 78 of them have been identified in addition to
those that we already have,” the President stressed.
The Chief Executive noted the potential
contribution of the tourism industry in providing more employment
opportunities.
“While they may not have the acclaim and titles
that the Puerto Princesa Underground River has garnered, I can guarantee you that
they will be equally representative of the beauty and the diversity of our
country and they will undoubtedly boost our tourism industry as well," the
President said, adding that tourism creates opportunities for our countrymen
and has an immediate palpable effect on our economy.
"I am told that for each tourist that sets
foot on our shores, one new job is created. Each tourist will have travel
agents fixing the itineraries, tour guides who will show them around and
merchants who will hopefully be able to sell them our locally made delicacies
and handicrafts and a lot of others who are at the service industry,” President
Aquino said.
The President also shared with the people his
personal experiences in visiting the PPUR and the amazing sight of the naturally-carved
formations within the navigable river.
“Not long ago, I had a chance to explore the
Puerto Princesa Underground River myself. It was an amazing experience.
Journeying down a river that winds through a subterranean cave system is like
traveling back in time with walls and caverns that have been shaped by the
elements and extraordinary formations of stalactites and stalagmites,” the
President said.
“The Underground River is a true example of the
artistry of nature when it is preserved and cared for by man. The river has
also helped us understand our Earth a little more. Words alone cannot do
justice to the Underground River, he noted.
According to the President, one must experience
it firsthand to be able to understand exactly why it is one of the New Seven
Wonders of Nature. "So please consider this as an open invitation to
visit, if not, revisit the Puerto Princesa Undeground River and see for
yourselves what millions of people around the world voted for and ultimately
realize that, yes, it is indeed more fun in the Philippines,” he said.
Puerto Princesa Underground River is located
some 50 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa, in Palawan. It
consists of a limestone karst mountain landscape, several large chambers
containing significant formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and an 8.2 km
navigable underground river that winds through a cave before flowing directly
into the West Philippine Sea. At the exit, a flawless lagoon is framed by
ancient trees growing right to the water’s edge. (PCOO)
