Palawan Underground River visitors up by 37% in 2007

Tourist arrivals at the St. Paul Subterranean River National Park (SSRNP), more famously known as “Underground River,” has continued to rise, with 63,271 visitors recorded in 2007.

James Albert Mendoza, park manager, said the tourist arrivals in the Underground River increased by 17,003 or 36.75 percent compared to 46,268 visitors in 2006. Mendoza said of the figure, 46,185 or 77.74 percent were locals and 14,086 or 22.26 percent were foreigners.

He cited that from 18,233 in 2002, a year after the infamous 2001 Abu Sayyaf kidnapping incident in Dos Palmas Resort, the influx of tourists has continued.

The national park, located in Sitio Sabang of Barangay Cabayugan, some 81 kilometers from the city proper, was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Environment, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

It is said to be the longest navigable underground river in the world, running for eight kilometers, and spills out into the South China Sea.

It also features cathedral-like caverns and domes, with stalactite and stalagmite formations that resemble religious images.

Several endangered species of animals are regularly seen in the extensive lowland forest in the area, as well as a substantial number of Palawan Phesant Peacock and Philippine Cockatoo.

The park is likewise the favorite site of hikers, biologists, photographers, students and nature lovers.

About St. Paul Subterranean River National Park
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park was declared by Proclamation No. 835 on March 26, 1971. It is located in the West Coast of Palawan, 81 km north of Puerto Princesa City. The land form in the park are associated with rocky mountains ( of marble and limestone) running from north to south. Two-thirds of the area is covered by lush tropical rainforest from the shoreline to the highest peak, and one-third is thinly vegetated karst limestone. The vegetation types include lowland forest (often with 35 m. canopy), coastal forest and karst forest.

This National Park is currently a popular destination for visiting bird-watchers, and most of the threatened and restricted range birds of the Palawan Endemic Bird Area have been recorded here. Several threatened species are regularly seen in the extensive lowland forests and substantial number of Palawan Phesant Peacock and Philippine Cockatoo are found in the park.