Puerto Princesa infra to be beefed up to accommodate more tourists

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA) -- Improvement and preparation for the airports and access roads leading to the Puerto Princesa City is one of the top priorities of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and the local government of Palawan, according to Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn.
In today’s Communication and News Exchange (CNEX) forum, Hagedorn said the government is pushing for infrastructure development in their city as more tourists are expected to explore the “Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR),” the country’s contender for the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
Hagedorn said President Aquino included the expansion of the Puerto Princesa Airport among the top priority projects of the Public Private Partnership (PPP), and many (private corporations) are giving international connectivity options for the said airport.
Also included in the PPP top priorities are the access roads that are ‘very important’ for a more convenient travel to PPUR.
“It’s good that we already received a small share for Malampaya. We have cemented the roadway to the Underground River. Before, it takes three hours to get there. Now, it only takes one hour and 20 minutes to reach the site,” Hagedorn said.
According to the City Mayor, Puerto Princesa is now receiving around 450,000 tourists since the PPUR campaign began. “If we win the contest, the number of tourists will be doubled. So, around 900,000 tourists will be expected to enter our locality,” he added.
Due to the tourist influx, the government is encountering problems on hotel reservations and accommodations. The local government of Puerto Princesa has imposed a "carrying capacity" limit of 500 visitors per day to the said underground river site.
“Because of the conventions—attended by thousands of participants—being held there (Puerto Princesa), there are people who would plead, and sometimes we break the rule. We allow 700 (heads) a day,” said Hagedorn.
He assured, however, that as the local government anticipates more tourist arrivals—more so if PPUR becomes one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature and the major tourist destination in the country—the carrying capacity rule of 500 persons per day would be strictly enforced.
Hagedorn was guest in the latest episode of the CNEX forum sponsored by the Presidential Communication Operations Office, Philippine Information Agency, and People’s Television-4.
by Precie Catherine C. Cuarto (RDA/PCCC/PIA-GHQ)