UP Ibalon Bicol: RP’s awesome underground river and Bicol’s pollution

RP’s awesome underground river and Bicol’s pollution

1/28/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The search for “the new seven wonders of the world” is on and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is attracting more attention. The underground waterway in Palawan is among the leading nominees in the category of forest, national parks, and nature reserves. In fact, it has taken the top lead ahead of the great Amazon Rainforest of South America and the astounding Subdarbans Delta in Bangladesh and India.

The unique Philippine underground river grabbed the top spot after a successful campaign to gain points on the first round of voting. The contest which drew 261 nominees in 7 categories had been the brainchild of the New 7 Wonders Foundation, a group established by the Swiss-Canadian aviator Bernard Weber. From January 1 to July 7, 2009, the contest’s second voting will select 77 nominees and 21 finalists They will be announced on July 21, 2007 by a panel of jurors to be led by Federico Mayor, a former UNESCO director-general.---- Inquirer (01/27/09, Anda, R)

Obviously, the stunning below-the-ground river system located southwest of the archipelago is a cause of happiness for Filipinos who take pride in their homeland’s beauty----a cluster of 7,100 emerald isles in Asia. The popularity of the tropical underground attraction highlights the need for kababayans to be part of the conservation campaign in order to protect the country’s natural treasures.

Nature preservation is most timely for the Filipino people. In Bicol, because of improper waste disposal, the effects of pollution have reached the coastal towns of Masbate. Shown in Bicol Mail (01/22/09,) are graphic photos of filthy garbage washed to shore. The damage on the towns makes a good argument in favor of environmental protection. Discarded plastics, papers, and human wastes floating at sea have certainly fouled the environment. Garbage poses a huge health hazard to humans and all living things which thrive in the area. =0=