Barangay text voting for Palawan underground river set on Oct. 9

The country’s more than 42,000 barangays on October 9 will lead the synchronized text voting for the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) as one of the Seven New Wonders of Nature. Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo said the mass text voting for PPUR would boost the current high standing of the country’s lone candidate to the global polling competition. People can vote for the Palawan underground river by texting "PPUR" to 2861. This is applicable for all networks. “Sa tulong ng mga barangay, sigurado na ang panalo ng Puerto Princesa Underground River," Robredo said. Puerto Princesa underground river The website of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) said the PPUR is believed to be the longest navigable underground river in the world. The Official Gazette of the Philippine government said in June, "The Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan, Philippines is composed of a long mountain landscape and a beautiful, breathtaking subterranean river that winds through a cave that has been carved into shape by the giant hand of nature." "It comes as no surprise that the Puerto Princesa Underground River has made it as one of the 28 finalists in the global search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature," it added. Philippine President Benigno Simeon Aquino III said, "Aside from its staggering length and shape, within it lie unique discoveries, which were, until recently, unknown even to those who had frequented the site." Fossils of sea cows or Sirenia dating back to the Miocene period, about 20 million years ago, were found in the PPUR. Aquino encouraged people to vote "online at www.new7wonders.com, or—simpler—by texting PPUR to 2861, we can help the Puerto Princesa Underground River, as well as the Philippines, garner a distinct spot on the international tourist map." - VVP, GMA News