Robredo urges LGUs to support Puerto Princesa Underground River campaign

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo today called on all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, other local government officials and the public to vigorously support the campaign for the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) as one of the world’s New Seven Wonders of Nature (N7WN).

Robredo, who is chairman of an inter-agency Task Force for the PPUR nationwide campaign created under Proclamation 182 issued by President Benigno S. Aquino III last June, made the call during yesterday’s flag-raising ceremony at the DILG Central Office in Quezon City.

During the ceremony, a team of Bureau of Fire Protection Special Rescue Unit rappelled from the sixth floor of the DILG office building while rolling down a giant PPUR tarpaulin to signal an intensified nationwide campaign spearheaded by DILG regional and field offices and attached agencies targeting all local government units and their constituents.
The PRUR is the country’s lone nominee to the search for the world’s N7WN, organized by the Swiss-based N7WN Foundation. The search is being carried through SMS or text messaging and internet voting. To vote, the public may text PPUR then send to 2861, or log in to www.new7wonders.com. The Foundation has extended the deadline for voting until December 2012.

The DILG secretary said the extension will work for the advantage of the task force as it will give more time to review its campaign strategies and consider other modes and possibilities to ensure that the PPUR will land a spot in the much-coveted contest.

“An extended time means more publicity, more votes, and more chances of being in the top seven,” said Robredo adding that, “kahit hindi naman ma-extend ang promotional contest ay malaki pa rin ang chance nating manalo considering that the Philippines is the text capital of the world.”

The DILG Chief also said he will seek the support of other partners from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector for the PPUR campaign.

“Halimbawa dito sa DILG naglagay kami ng tarpaulin, siguro makikiusap kami sa ibang sponsor para malagyan din namin ng posters ang loob ng LRT”, he said.

Moreover, he encouraged governors and mayors to text vote before starting their sessions or meetings, conferences or other gatherings.

“Ang pakiusap po natin sa mga mayors at governors na bago mag-umpisa ang kanilang mga pulong ay ilabas muna nila ang kanilang cell phones at mag-text upang bumoto para sa PPUR,” said Robredo. DILG