Puerto Princesa Underground River closed to tourists over COVID-19 threat

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY –– The Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR), a World’s New Seven Wonders of Nature site, is temporarily closed to tourists amid the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Elizabeth Maclang, park superintendent, said PPUR tours would be suspended starting March 15 until April 14, in line with the “community quarantine” imposed by mayor Lucilo Bayron on Friday.

However, community-based sustainable tourism (CBST) and other activities within the park remain operational.

“The park management will devote its activities into restoration, protection, information education campaign on the single-use plastic ordinance, and 24/7 conduct of thermal monitoring of people entering the park in Kwago base checkpoint,” she said.

Forest and sea-borne patrol, and other facilities will also undergo maintenance as the park management diverts its effort to biodiversity conservation in line with the looming global threat brought by COVID-19.

PPUR is located 80 kilometers northwest coast of the city proper and is part of the Saint Paul Mountain Range. It was confirmed as part of the World’s New Seven Wonders of Nature on January 28, 2012./lzb

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