Jesse M. Robredo, Secretary of the Interior and Local Government of the Philippines, is calling on the country’s governors and mayors to promote the Puerto Princesa Underground River in the race to become one of the New7Wonders of Nature.
He said that officials can support the campaign by using multi-media channels and materials; putting up at least two large billboards in high traffic areas within cities and municipalities; securing free local TV or radio plugs, as well as free space in a major local newspaper in each Local Government Unit.
“Our local officials should identify possible internet voting centers such as internet cafés, colleges, and universities, and set these up for general public access for the purpose of voting via e-mail,” wrote Robredo in a memorandum.
Robredo also praised President Benigno Simeon Aquino III for giving his support to the campaign. He said that President Aquino has encouraged the estimated 80 million Filipino mobile phone-users to unite and support the project, and added that that the inclusion of the Puerto Princesa Underground River in the list of Official Finalists “has made it world-renowned and is attracting international interest that is now benefiting the Philippine tourism industry.”