LGUs urged to back campaign for Underground River

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo has called on governors and mayors to help boost the government’s campaign for Puerto Princesa Underground River to become one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature (PPUR N7WN).

Robredo mobilized the regional information offices (RIOs) of the DILG to heighten local government units’ awareness in the campaign.

The DILG chief earlier ordered public information officers (PIOs) to promote the PPUR N7WN campaign; provide official campaign tarpaulins in every LGU in their respective regions; encourage local executives to launch the text campaign “PPUR send to 2861” during their flag-raising ceremonies; and actively participate and promote the campaign among barangay officials during their national assembly to be held on the third Saturday of October this year.

“We have to intensify and bring to the various LGU levels the PPUR N7WN campaign which will boost the country’s tourism industry and national pride,” Robredo said. “To achieve this, I need the help of all local chief executives including the DILG RIOs and PIOs by bringing the campaign down to the masses.”

At least 20 DILG RIOs and PIOs recently underwent a three-day seminar workshop and visit to the PPUR in an effort to craft new strategies and approaches on how to further improve the campaign and rally the local chief executives and their constituents to support it.

The PPUR in Palawan, which is considered the longest underground river in the world, is 8.2 kilometers long and was formed by nature more than 20 million years ago. It has now reached the seventh place from among 28 other qualified candidates vying for the N7WN.

Filipinos both here and abroad are encouraged to support and join the country’s bid by voting via text message­­–PPUR send to 2861–or the Internet by logging on to http://www.new7wonders.com.