EDITORIAL - Natural wonder

Finally, one of the country’s most popular travel destinations has been declared as one of the world’s top natural wonders. Last week it was announced that 20 million people from around the world voted online and by text to include the Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan among the “New7Wonders of Nature.”

The subterranean river – the longest of its kind in the world that is navigable – was selected together with the Amazon River in South America, Halong Bay in Vietnam, Iguazu Falls also in South America, Jeju Island in South Korea, Komodo National Park in Indonesia, and Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa.

Palawan’s subterranean river national park has been cited for programs to protect its rich biodiversity and promote sustainable tourism. Many other areas in Palawan have also reaped the benefits of similar programs, with residents themselves aware of their role as stakeholders in the natural blessings of their province. Palawan has world-class diving sites and some of the country’s best resorts. Tourism is a top livelihood source for the province. A big chunk of the tourism revenue is funneled back into programs to protect the environment.

The honor for the Underground River comes on the heels of the selection of Boracay in Aklan as the best beach destination in Asia and the second best in the world. The selection was made by a popular website that is used by many travelers as a reference when planning their trips.

Palawan’s subterranean river national park, which includes hiking trails, can use better sanitation and toilet facilities. But overall the success of the park should inspire other travel destinations in the country to develop similar programs for sustainable tourism and environmental protection. The selection of the Underground River as one of the New7Wonders of Nature is expected to further boost tourism in Puerto Princesa and the rest of Palawan. The best stewards of nature are those who realize that their livelihood and quality of life depend on the quality of their environment.