Saturday, March 14, 2009 [ manilatimes.net ]
THE country’s wonders seem to be losing steam, after lording over the category in the “New7Wonders of Nature” campaign, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park has quietly slipped to the number 2 position, during the second leg of the campaign, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said on Thursday.
“Once again we urge Filipinos from all over the world to keep their eye on the prize. All the voting and support have already generated immense publicity for our country. It would indeed be a feat for the Philippines if the Puerto Princesa Subterranean Park becomes one of the seven phenomenal sights in the world,” Durano said.
Known as the world’s longest underground river, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, located in Palawan, winds through a cave leading to the South China Sea. Its features include a limestone mountain landscape, chambers of stalactite and stalagmite formations, and lush forest formations. It is also home to monkeys, monitor lizards and squirrels.
The top spot is currently held by the Amazon River in South America.
“We ask everyone to join us on this long but gratifying road to victory. But more than the people’s votes, we urge preservation and protection of our natural sites because they are the irreplaceable wealth of our country,” said Eduardo Jarque Jr., Tourism undersecretary for Planning and Promotions.
The Puerto Princesa River was nominated under the “Forests, National Parks and Nature Reserves” category and voting began on January 7, 2009. Another Philippine nominee is the Coral Triangle, also shared by Indonesia, Malaysia and other Pacific Islands, which is currently ranked 8th in the “Seascapes” Category.
Only 77 out of 261 nominees in seven categories will be chosen after voting ends on July 7 this year.
After 77 nominees are selected, 21 finalists will be chosen by the New7Wonders Panel of Experts, led by former United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Director General Federico Mayor, after which, another round of voting will begin until seven finalists are announced in 2011.-- Francis Earl A. Cueto
