Legarda Urges Filipinos to Make Palawan Underground River One of the New 7 Wonders of Nature

Senator Loren Legarda today urged Filipinos to keep voting for the Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan to make it one of the New 7 Wonders (N7W) of Nature.

Legarda made the appeal as the voting ends at precisely 11:11am GMT (7:11pm, Philippine time) tomorrow, November 11, 2011.

The Senator said that the inclusion of the Puerto Princesa Underground River, the longest navigable underground river in the world, in the New 7 Wonders of Nature will help preserve this natural treasure.

“The New 7 Wonders slogan says it simple and clear ‘If we want to save anything, we first need to truly appreciate it!’ True enough, when we realize the beauty and abundance of nature, we start to care for it as we would want to preserve its beauty,” she stressed.

“The Puerto Princesa Underground River is just one of the many wonders of nature that our country is very fortunate to be blessed with. If it becomes one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, the whole world will get to see and appreciate its beauty and it will also help boost efforts for the preservation of our country’s natural resources,” she added.

Legarda also pointed out that that the N7W generates significant benefits in the tourism and economy of the country where these treasures are located.

She noted that a 2010 study published by Pearson of London revealed that Petra in Jordan, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, was visited by 62% more tourists in 2007 (the year when the N7W of the World campaign culminated) that generated US$13.4-million for the country; while Machu Picchu, also one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, saw a 70% increase in tourism.

“This could also be the effect for the winners of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. In fact, the city government of Puerto Princesa already saw a dramatic increase in its tourist arrivals-from 11,981 tourists in 2010 to 20,411 tourists between January and May 2011 alone. If the Puerto Princesa Underground River becomes one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, we can maximize its benefits in the tourism industry by promoting other tourist spots in the country, both within the province of Palawan and in other provinces as well,” Legarda concluded.