Palawan celebrates Underground River Day

• Source: http://cnnphilippines.com/lifestyle/2016/11/11/Palawan-celebrates-underground-river-day.html
• Friday, November 11, 2016 12:06 pm

(CNN Philippines Staff)

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) - Today is Puerto Princesa Underground River Day, celebrating one of the Philippines' best known tourist spots.

The river is located in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, which is also famous for its unique cave systems and rich wildlife. Puerto Princesa is also home to the Philippines' most intact forests.

The Underground River--with its mysteriously beautiful karst limestone formations--helped Puerto Princesa gain its reputation as one of the best islands in the world. Its well-preserved landscape have earned praise both locally and abroad.

The Underground River stretches for 8.2 kilometers and connects directly to the sea, giving it a distinct mountain-to-sea ecosystem that supports a wide array of wildlife. It's surrounded by a rich biodiversity of various flora and fauna, living in some of the most important forests in Asia.

The Underground River was inaugurated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and named one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2012. It attracts an estimated 1,500 tourists daily.

In 2014, President Aquino signed the proclamation making November 11 "Puerto Princesa Underground River Day."

In the proclamation, Aquino praised the site for bringing "honor and acclaim not only to the City of Puerto Princesa and the Province of Palawan but to the entire nation."