Aquino leads inauguration of Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of New Seven Wonders of Nature in Pasay City

MANILA, April 21 (PNA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III will attend the official inauguration of the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature on Saturday night at the One Esplanade open grounds in Pasay City.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte made the announcement during an interview aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

"Ang congratulations natin hindi lang po para doon sa mga kababayan natin sa Puerto Princesa at doon po sa mga kumikilos sa the Underground River ngunit doon po sa lahat ng mga Pilipinong sumuporta to make the PPUR one of the seven," Valte said.

President Aquino, himself, rallied and personally endorsed the campaign for the PPUR, calling out to government agencies, "kababayans," and their loved ones here and abroad to vote for their country’s own.

The inauguration will culminate with the unveiling of the New 7 Wonders of Nature Marker by the President with the assistance of Secretaries Jesse M. Robredo, Ramon R. Jimenez Jr., Ramon J.P. Paje and Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn.

The President, on behalf of the Filipino people, will also receive the award (plaque) from Bernard Weber, Founder and President of the New 7 Wonders. The awarding of the Plaque to the Philippines signals the official Inauguration of the PPUR as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is located some 50km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, off the Palawan Island.

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 New 7 Wonders of Nature are, in alphabetical order: Amazon, Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeju Island, Komodo, Puerto Princesa Underground River, and the Table Mountain.

Following Jeju Island, Puerto Princesa Underground River is the second to be confirmed on a preliminary basis, as the new 7 wonders has now completed the telephone voting validation in the Philippines. (PNA)
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