2009 R - 134 - ENCOURAGING THE OLONGAPEÑOS TO VOTE FOR PUERTO PRINCESA SUBTERRANEAN RIVER NATIONAL PARK TO BE INCLUDED IN THE WORLD SEARCH

EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF OLONGAPO, HELD ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AT THE CITY HALL.

PRESENT:

Hon. Cynthia G. Cajudo - - - City Vice-Mayor & Presiding Officer

Hon. Gina Gulanes-Perez - - City Councilor

Hon. John Carlos G. Delos Reyes- - “ “

Hon. Rodel S. Cerezo - - - - “ “

Hon. Sarah Lugerna Lipumano-Garcia- - “ “

Hon. Edwin J. Piano - - - - “ “

Hon. Aquilino Y. Cortez, Jr.- - “ “

Hon. Anselmo A. Aquino- - - - “ “

Hon. Elena C. Dabu- - - - - “ “

Hon. Jonathan G. Manalo- - - - “ “

Hon. Cheenee F. Hoya- - - - SK Federation President

ABSENT:

Hon. Angelito W. Baloy - - - - - - City Councilor

(On Vacation Leave)

RESOLUTION NO. 134

(Series of 2009)

A RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE OLONGAPEÑOS TO VOTE FOR PUERTO PRINCESA SUBTERRANEAN RIVER NATIONAL PARK TO BE INCLUDED IN THE WORLD SEARCH FOR THE NEW SEVEN WONDERS OF NATURE

WHEREAS, popularly known as the Underground River situated 50 kilometers north of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan is one of the country’s top tourist destinations;

WHEREAS, the Underground River has been enjoyed by both international and local tourists for its wondrous flora and fauna since 1992, the time it was opened to the public;

WHEREAS, in December 4, 1999, the Underground River has been inscribed as a premier ecotourism destination and included in the prestigious UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) World Heritage List;

WHEREAS, this spectacular place is now considered as one of the sites with “outstanding universal value” due to its intense beauty and natural importance contributing eventually to the onset of local tourism industry;

WHEREAS, since then livelihood and small businesses sprouted as the need to address the inbound tourists have continued to arise. On the other hand, the Department of Tourism has extended its assistance of promoting the area together with the country’s other top destinations like Davao, Cebu and Manila;

WHEREAS, the said pride of Palawan has been considered as one of the most beautiful subterranean rivers in the world and the longest traversable underground river, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is really a must-see for tourists, likewise making it the pride of the whole Philippines;

WHEREAS, as of April 2009, the Philippines’ Subterranean River National Park in Palawan ranks first in the global voting for the New Seven Wonders of Nature competition, under the forests, natural parks, and nature reserves category;

WHEREAS, the Government of Olongapo City is in the process of establishing sisterhood relations with Puerto Princesa City to strengthen the friendship between the two cities thereby Olongapeños strongly extend support to launch a campaign to vote for Puerto Princesa Subterrranean River National Park to be included in the world search for the New Seven Wonders of Nature;

NOW, THEREFORE, on motion of Councilor Gina Gulanes Perez, with unanimous accord of the Sangguniang Panlungsod present;

RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, by the Sangguniang Panlungsod in session assembled, to encourage, as it hereby encourages the Olongapeños to vote for Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park to be included in the world search for the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

RESOLVED FURTHER, AS IT IS HEREBY FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be furnished to the Office of the City Mayor, Puerto Princesa City.

Let copies of this Resolution be given to the seventeen different barangays, Academic Institutions and local media organizations for their information and appropriate action.

APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY, September 30, 2009.

CYNTHIA G. CAJUDO

City Vice-Mayor & Presiding Officer

GINA GULANES-PEREZ *JOHN CARLOS G. DELOS REYES

City Councilor City Councilor

RODEL S. CEREZO SARAH LUGERNA LIPUMANO-GARCIA

City Councilor City Councilor

EDWIN J. PIANO ANGELITO W. BALOY

City Councilor City Councilor

(On Vacation Leave)

AQUILINO Y. CORTEZ, JR ANSELMO A. AQUINO

City Councilor City Councilor

ELENA C. DABU JONATHAN G. MANALO

City Councilor City Councilor

CHEENEE F. HOYA

SK Federation President

*Out during votation

ATTEST:

ELFLIDA S. SALMON

Council Secretary

APPROVED BY HIS HONOR, THE CITY MAYOR ON______________________.

JAMES GORDON, JR.

City Mayor

ATTEST:

DELFIN A. JUICO, JR.

Secretary to the City Mayor