Robredo lauds Hagedorn, local gov't as PPUR makes it to New 7 Wonders of the World

MANILA, Feb. 4 (PIA) -- Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo has lauded and expressed thanks to Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn and his staff, the country’s governors, mayors and barangay chairmen for their all-out support which resulted in the official declaration of Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

The DILG Secretary, who is chairman of the Inter-agency Task Force for the PPUR campaign created under Presidential Proclamation 182, also expressed thanks to the Switzerland-based organizers of the N7WN for including the PPUR as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

“Aside from the global prestige it will bring to the Philippines, the country also stands to benefit from PPUR in terms of eco-tourism and related revenues,” Robredo said.

“Mayor Hagedorn and his staff, and all the local chief executives who complied with our call to rally their constituents to vote –via text message PPUR 2861 or via the Internet – should all be thanked and praised for contributing a lot in this effort. It is Filipino unity and patriotism at its best. It is not just the pride and joy of the people of Palawan but the entire country as well,” he added.

Earlier, the DILG chief issued a memo circular to all local chief executives nationwide to conduct and attend their flag retreat on Friday, November 11, 2011 (dubbed as 11-11-11) and rally their constituents to vote via their cellular phones by texting PPUR send to 2861.

Robredo also directed all chiefs of bureaus and offices under the DILG such as the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Local Government Academy, National Police Commission, the DILG regional offices, among others, to conduct same flag retreat activity.

Robredo said he is very much delighted to learn that PPUR had been declared as one of New 7 Wonders Nature, saying it is expected to attract more foreign tourists to the country and bring in tourism-related revenues and employment.

Aside from PPUR, the Swiss-based New7Wonders Foundation announced the list of provisional winners as the Amazon rainforest, Vietnam’s Halong Bay, Argentina’s Iguazu Falls, South Korea’s Jeju Island, Indonesia’s Komodo island, and South Africa’s Table Mountain. Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, the Dead Sea and the US Grand Canyon, which made it to the top 10 finalists, failed to make the cut.