Puerto Princesa Underground River Day in the Philippines Date in the current year: November 11, 2024

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) is a Philippine protected area on the island of Palawan, located about 50 miles north of the city of Puerto Princesa. With an area of nearly 55,800 acres, the park has one of the most impressive cave systems in the world. It features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with a 5.1-mile-long underground river emerging directly into the sea, a full “mountain-to-sea” ecosystem, and some of the most important Asian tropical forests.

The PPSRNP represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. It has eight of thirteen forest types found in tropical Asia with more than 800 plant species, including at least 295 trees. The park also has 165 bird species of the 252 species occurring in Palawan, including all endemic bird species of the island, of which there are 15. 30 species of mammals and 19 species of reptiles (including 8 endemic) have also been recorded.

The PPSRNP has been managed locally by the city government of Puerto Princesa since 1992. It is also covered by the National Integrated Protected Area System Act, which designates protected areas in the Philippines and ensures their legal protection and conservation. In 1999, the park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In 2007, Swiss-born Canadian Bernard Weber launched the New 7 Wonders of Nature Campaign, modeled after his earlier New 7 Wonders of the World campaign. It lasted until November 11, 2011, when voting closed and winners were announced: the Amazon rainforest and River (Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela), Hạ Long Bay (Vietnam), Jeju Island (South Korea), Iguazú Falls (Argentina and Brazil), the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (Philippines), Komodo Island (Indonesia), and Table Muntain (South Africa). The selection was officially confirmed on June 28, 2012.

The president of the Philippines declared November 11 as Puerto Princesa Underground River Day in 2014 to commemorate the day when the PPSRNP was voted one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. On the occasion of the holiday, the administration of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park organizes various educational and entertaining events and activities for the general public to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and nature conservation.

If you live in the Philippines or happen to be there in November, it’s a great occasion to visit the PPSRNP and enjoy its amazing landscapes and diverse flora and fauna. Other ways to celebrate include learning more about the park and other World Heritage Sites and wonders of nature, raising awareness of the importance of nature conservation, and donating to or volunteering at a conservation organization.