Another Global Recognition: PPUR Declared Wetland of International Importance

The Puerto Princesa Underground River was officially declared as “wetland of international importance” during the Ramsar Convention last July 6 to 13. 2012 in Bucharest, Romania.

The declaration was personally witnessed by Undersecretary Ignacio of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It will be recalled that the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of DENR
Nominated PPUR to the Ramsar Convention because of it’s importance as a biodiversity conservation area. Among others it features a karst landscape that includes the 8.2 kilometer underground river, reputed to be the longest navigable underground river in the world,which flows into the West Philippine Sea.

Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa City thanked the efforts of DENR under the leadership of Secretary Ramon Paje for the nomination that eventually led to the declaration of PPUR, which is also one of the world’s New 7 Wonders of Nature.

The Ramsar Convention, an international treaty that seeks to conserve and sustainably utilize wetlands and protect them from progressive encroachment, was adopted in the Iranian City of Ramsar in 1971, it covers all geographic regions of the world, with the Philippines as the 119th signatory to the convention.