Palawan’s Tubbataha ranks No. 16 in “New 7 Wonders of Nature”

By Celeste Anna R. Formoso

THE PROVINCIAL government, led by Governor Joel T. Reyes, has embarked on a serious campaign for Filipinos all over Palawan and the world to vote for the UNESCO-declared World Heritage Site Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park to be included in the search for the “New 7 Wonders of Nature”

As of April 3 this year, Tubbataha is already on the 16^th place in the “live ranking” and its continuously climbing. The top place is taken by Ha Long Bay in Vietnam; followed by Phong Na Ke Bang National Park and Fansipan Mountain also in Vietnam. Cox’s Beach Bar in Bangladesh, India which used to be No. 1 fell in the 4^th place.

Chocolate Hills in Bohol is on the 14th place, while Mayon Volcano in Legaspi, Bicol is on the 49^th.

The Provincial Information Office (PIO) is leading the provincial government campaign by paying radio and other media plugs urging Palaweños to vote for Tubbataha in the municipality of Cagayancillo in the Sulu Sea.

Information officer Rolando E. Bonoan, Jr. said being home to the world famous marine park, the provincial government and the residents of Palawan are proud that it is included as a nominee to the worldwide search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

He added that their campaign is directed at encouraging residents in Puerto Princesa and Palawan who have internet access to vote for Tubbataha to make as one of the seven wonders of nature.

The members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan have committed too to support the campaign by encouraging Filipino and foreigner friends alike abroad to campaign for Tubbataha and the two other Philippine natural wonders – Chocolate Hills and Mayon Volcano.

Private individuals, as well as businesses in Puerto Princesa, have also joined the Tubbataha campaign bandwagon. One of them is famous Kalui Restaurant owner Louie Oliva, who launched a campaign setting up “voting precincts” exclusively for Tubbataha.

Even the local media are carrying banner stories of Tubbataha on their front pages and as headlines of their radio and television stories to join the campaign. All these in response to Angeligue Songco’s, the manager of the Tubbataha Management Office (TMO), call to position the marine park to the wonders of nature list.

“We believe that it is a feat that we too can accomplish if only we can muster enough support from every Filipino with a sense of national pride,” Songco said.

Filipinos can still vote for Tubbataha until December 31, 2008, after which the top 77 nominees will be submitted to a panel of experts that will put together a shortlist of 21 finalists by January 2009.

A second round of popular voting for the 21 finalists will then ensue and last until the end of 2009 — with the top seven nominees being officially declared the “New Seven Wonders of the World” by the year 2010.

The list of nominees and the mechanics for voting are posted on the poll’s official website www.new7wonders.com. The search is organized by the Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) and the non-profit New Seven Wonders Foundation, which also undertook the “New Seven Wonders of the World” search that ended last year. (with reports from Alex J. Villanueva, Jr.)

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