Robredo: Vote PPUR for New 7 Wonders

MANILA, Philippines (Nov. 8, 2011) – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) takes the New 7 Wonders search very seriously, fully aware what boost to tourism and the country's prestige it would bring if a Philippine site were to make it among the top in the ongoing worldwide poll.

Two day before the closing of votes for the worldwide search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature, Local Government Jesse Robredo called on local officials to support and vote the country’s Puerto Princesa Underground River.

Robredo, chairman of the Inter-agency Task Force for the PPUR campaign, said the local government sector should play a pivotal role in the final push to victory for the PPUR.

The secretary said he was delighted to learn that PPUR has made it to the top ten finalists in a recent update on the ongoing worldwide voting.

Aside from the PPUR, other nominees that made it to the top ten included 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 the PPUR’s overall standing is indeed a positive development, although only seven will be chosen among the ten finalists.

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

“The help of our local government officials is very crucial at this critical juncture,” he added.

Robredo reiterated his call to local officials and the public to vote through text messaging or SMS by typing PPUR and send it to 2861, or via internet by logging on to www.new7wonders.com.

“Ang pakiusap po natin sa ating mga mayors at governors na sa lahat ng gagawin nilang pulong mula ngayon hanggang Nov. 11, pakiusapan nila ang kanilang mga kapulong na ilabas muna ang kanilang cell phones at mag-text upang bumoto para sa PPUR,” he said. (From Philstar.com)