PNoy umapela sa publiko na pangalagaan ang PPUR

Umapela si Pangulong Benigno Aquino III sa publiko na pangalagaan ang kagandahan ng Puerto Princesa Underground River o PPUR matapos itong opisyal na mapabilang sa New Seven Wonders of Nature. Ani Aquino sa inauguration ng PPUR nitong Sabado ng gabi sa Pasay City, hindi dapat balewalain ng mga Pilipino ang biyayang ipinagkaloob sa bansa. "This honor reminds us of how truly blessed our country is – and of how it is our task as Filipinos not to take these blessings for granted. We have to act as responsible stewards," anang Pangulo.   Dagdag pa niya, hindi lamang ang PPUR ang dapat pangalagaan kundi maging ang iba pang tourist spots sa bansa. "Let us protect it, preserve it and make sure that it retains the natural wonder, the same goes for all our other natural treasures.” Tinanggap ni Aquino ang plake mula sa pangulo at founder ng New7Wonders na si Bernard Weber sa inauguration ng PPUR bilang isa sa World's Seven Wonders of Nature. Dumalo sa pagdiriwang ay sina Secretaries Jesse Robredo (Interior and Local Government), Ramon Jimenez Jr. (Tourism), Ramon Paje (Environment), Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., at Puerto Princesa Palawan Mayor Edward Hagedorn. Pinuri ni Aquino ang naging tagumpay ng mga Pilipino sa kanilang pagsusumikap na maging bahagi ang PPUR sa New Seven Wonders of Nature. "In the face of tremendous competition – when we got to the finalist round, there were 27 other finalists and millions of other voters from all over the world – we pulled together, and once again put the Philippines on the map," aniya. "I thank everyone who participated in this effort – from those who led the campaign, but most especially, to those who joined us in sending their text and Internet votes," dagdag pa niya. Mahigit 78 ecotourism sites, isusulong Ayon kay Aquino, nagtutulungan na ang Environment at Tourism Department upang isulong ang turismo sa 78 ecotourism sites. "I understand that 78 of them have been identified in addition to those that we already have. While they may not have the acclaim and titles that the Puerto Princesa Underground River has gathered, I can guarantee you that they will be equally representative of the beauty and the diversity of our country, and they will undoubtedly boost our tourism industry as well," aniya. "If we put in the kind of work that brought us to this day – if government and the private sector continue working together, if we take pride in our country and continue fulfilling our individual roles – no matter how big or small – then we can be sure that our successes will not stop here. Our country will continue to stand strong and progress, guided by the broad light of day," dagdag ng Pangulo. — Amanda Fernandez/KBK, GMA News