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Local execs credited for Palawan river's success


Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo on Sunday gave credit to local government officials for contributing to the successful bid of the Puerto Princesa Underground River to be included on the list of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Robredo said the high compliance rate among local chief executives to his directive to rally behind the Puerto Princesa Underground River “contributed a lot in the effort" to place the famous tourist spot on the list. “It is Filipino unity and patriotism at its best. It is not just the pride and joy of Palawan but the entire country as well," he said in a statement. The Zurich-based New7Wonders Foundation announced on Saturday that the Puerto Princesa Underground River has been voted as one of the provisional New Seven Wonders of Nature. The group will still undertake a confirmation process on all the finalists and will officially inaugurate the winners next year. Aside from the PPUR, the other winners in the initial counting include the Amazon, Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeju Island, Komodo, and Table Mountain. Robredo, who was earlier tasked by President Benigno Aquino III to lead the inter-agency task force to campaign for PPUR’s victory, said the inclusion of the place on the list is expected to boost tourism in the country. “Aside from the global prestige it will bring to the Philippines, the country also stands to benefit from PPUR in terms of tourism and related revenues," he said. Robredo has issued a memorandum circular directing all local chief executives in the country to rally their constituents to vote for the Puerto Princesa Underground River through their cellular phones or through the Internet. Around 80 percent of local government units nationwide complied with this order, according to Robredo. — Andreo C. Calonzo/KBK/LBG, GMA News

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