Robredo urges public to vote for Puerto Princesa Underground River

MANILA, Philippines - With only three days before the Nov. 11 final voting for the worldwide search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo yesterday called on governors, city and municipal mayors and other local government officials to vigorously promote to their respective constituents and ask them to vote for the Puerto Princesa Underground River.

“The help of our local government officials is very crucial at this juncture,” said Robredo, who chairs the Inter-agency Task Force for the PPUR campaign created under Presidential Proclamation 182.

To vote, just send “PPUR” to 2861 for all networks or go online at http://www.new7wonders.com.

“The local government sector should play a pivotal role in the final push to victory for the PPUR,” Robredo said.

The DILG secretary said initial tallying of text votes showed PPUR has made it to the top 10 finalists in a recent update on the ongoing worldwide voting.

Other nominees that made it to the top 10 are the Dead Sea (Israel/Jordan/Palestine), Grand Canyon (United States), Great Barrier Reef (Australia/Papua New Guinea), Halong Bay (Vietnam), Jeita Grotto (Lebanon), Jeju Island (South Korea), Komodo Island (Indonesia), Sundarbans (Bangladesh/India), and Vesuvius (Italy).

Robredo said the report about PPUR’s overall standing is indeed a positive development, although only seven will be chosen among the 10 finalists.

“Hence, there is a need to close ranks and demonstrate patriotism in order for our entry to get into the magic seven,” he added.

For his part, Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn appealed to all Filipinos around the world to make PPUR No. 1.

Hagedorn noted that Bernard Weber, founder of the Zurich-based N7W, marveled at the magnificence of PPUR which he visited last week.

“I have arrived in paradise,’’ Weber said. “This is a diamond experience, and a true masterpiece of nature.”

Three days before the global campaign ends, Hagedorn said PPUR stands a good chance of gaining the top spot following a recent 20 percent increase in votes for the unique 17-kilometer underground river.

Hagedorn asked all Filipinos to participate in the massive campaign through text and online voting to push PPUR from its current ranking in the Top 7.

Even President Aquino voted to support PPUR.

“It is a matter of patriotism and national pride for all Filipinos to rise to the occasion and vote in their millions to show they firmly believe PPUR is a magnificent, unparalleled work of nature,” Hagedorn said.

Results of the first provisional voting will be announced at 7:07 p.m. on Friday via new7wonders.com.

Count Manilans in

Mayor Alfredo Lim yesterday urged Manilans to support the country’s bid for PPUR to be included in the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

Lim’s chief of staff and media bureau director Ric de Guzman said city officials and Manilans can cast their votes either online or through text message.

The mayor also asked Manila Police District director Senior Superintendent Alex Gutierrez and all his station commanders to do everything within their means to make PPUR get the coveted spot.

Teachers from the city’s 103 public elementary and high schools have been told to educate their students on the need to vote and encourage them to take an active role in the efforts to promote the Philippines through its tourist spots.

De Guzman said barangay officials were also urged to call on their constituents to vote for PPUR.

A text raffle promo dubbed as “Pera sa Kweba” was launched earlier wherein a lucky texter will have the chance to win the grand prize of P25 million. There will also be five winners of P1 million, three winners of P250,000 and 90 winners of P10,000 each.– With Sandy Araneta, Cristina Labong/Freeman