DENR to nominate Puerto Princesa Underground River as Ramsar site

MANILA, Philippines - After the proclamation of Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) as one of the New7Wonders of Nature, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to nominate the PPUR as a Ramsar site to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance or the Ramsar Convention in Switzerland.

“Feb. 2 is World Wetlands Day. We are going to mark this year’s celebration with the submission of PPUR’s nomination as a Ramsar site or wetlands of international importance,” Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said.

According to the Environment secretary, Ramsar is an international treaty signed to protect and utilize sustainable wetlands from progressive encroachment.

Once approved, the PPUR is going to be the fifth protected area in the country proclaimed as a Ramsar site. Other protected areas include the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Cebu in 1994 and the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park in Palawan, Naujan Lake National Park in Mindoro Oriental and the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Agusan del Sur in 1999.

Paje explained that the PPUR National Park encompasses all the various interconnecting ecosystems from the mountain to the sea, which include eight types of forests such as ultramafic and limestone; inland wetlands like rivers and fresh swamp; karst ecosytems; and coastal wetlands such as tidal flats and seagrass beds.

“The PPUR will be a showcase of how the government can make the necessary adjustments in terms of infrastructure and services, in coping with the expected influx of tourists to the area, to ensure that the pristine environment that the PPUR is known for will not be damaged irreversibly,” Paje noted.

Gov’t ready for deluge of tourists

Meanwhile, the government is preparing for the deluge of tourists to the province.

“At this time there are already a thousand visitors to the Puerto Princesa Underground River a day, which is about 400,000 visitors a year. We still expect this to grow following the declaration of PPUR as New7Wonders of Nature,” Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said.

According to the Tourism chief, “When I went to see PPUR last December I believe I’ve seen about 10,000 people there. And I would say it is the most incredible experience I had last Christmas.”

The DOT and the local government of Palawan are working closely to prepare for the influx of both foreign and local tourists to the PPUR.

“We expect more people to visit PPUR and we have to work hard to meet the high demand,” he said.

Jimenez noted that the government is already undertaking efforts to build a new international airport that would allow airlines from various countries to fly directly to Puerto Princesa.

“We would also develop new destinations for visitors in and outside Palawan,” Jimenez said, stressing the need to seriously implement measures to preserve PPUR.

Jimenez noted that the PPUR served as one of the inspirations in the crafting of the new DOT campaign, “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”

“The PPUR is what our new campaign is all about. It is not just a place to see, but a place to be,” Jimenez said. – With Mayen Jaymalin