MANILA, Philippines — It's official! The Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) has been named one of the world’s New 7 Wonders of Nature (N7WN) after winning worldwide support via online and text voting. Its official confirmation was announced by the New Seven Wonders of Nature Foundation in Zurich, Switzerland, on January 28, 2012.

“It was a victory not just for the people of Puerto Princesa but for Filipinos in general.” Malacañang said. “Filipinos from all walks of life have given time, energy, and resources to the campaign. This is proof positive of how effective a national effort of this sort can be – to build awareness, express pride, and achieve results. This effort has raised awareness not only overseas, but nationally as well; visits to the PPUR have increased tremendously. We hope that this will draw more people to see the underground river.”

The PPUR, which had earlier been declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, was the second to be confirmed by N7WN after South Korea’s Jeju Island. Five other N7WN sites are still awaiting confirmation – the Amazon (South America), Halong Bay (Vietnam), Iguazu Falls (Argentina/Brazil), Komodo (Indonesia), and Table Mountain (South Africa).

The PPUR is located 50 kilometers north of Puerto Princesa City. It has limestone karst mountain landscape, large chambers containing formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and an 8.2-kilometer navigable underground river that winds through a cave before flowing into the West Philippine Sea. A lagoon at the exit is framed by ancient trees. Palawan sees an increase in tourist arrivals by 25 percent in 2012 and 2013, expecting to breach the one-million mark by 2014, 1.431 million by 2015, and 2 million by 2016.

We greet the Province of Palawan, headed by Governor Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra, and Puerto Princesa City, headed by Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn, other officials and employees, for their unwavering efforts and collaborations in ensuring the victory of the Puerto Princesa Underground River in the New 7 Wonders of Nature. CONGRATULATIONS!