The Official Website of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

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Significance

The area was inscribed to the World Heritage List based on two natural properties. It features an 8.2 km underground river that flows beneath a spectacular limestone or karst formation before directly emptying into the sea. The lower half of the river is brackish and is affected by the ocean's tides. An underground river that flows directly to the ocean, and the associated tidal influence makes it one of the most unique natural phenomena of its kind to exist. It is said to be the longest navigable underground river in the world.

The PPSRNP is only one of the very few places where a full mountain to sea forest ecosystems still exists. These forests ecosystems serve as natural habitats for numerous wildlife species and are significant for biodiversity conservation. The Park represents Palawan’s moist forest that has been noted by the WWF as having the richest tree flora in Asia with high levels of regional and local endemism.

The Park is one of the five Important Bird Areas (IBA) of Palawan which has been identified as one of the 7 Endemic Bird Areas (EBA) of the Philippines by Birdlife International. It is inhabited by 5 internationally threatened bird and 1 internationally threatened mammal species. The Park is inhabited by the Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia) and the Palawan peacock pheasant (Polyplectron emphanum) two internationally threatened species.

Scientific and Educational Value

The site is also nationally significant for its unique geological and aesthetic beauty. It has been declared by the National Committee on Geological Sciences (NCGS) as a National Geological Monument in 2004.

Climate Control

The forest of the park are also significant in tackling the cause of climate change by the role played of its natural ecosystems in carbon sequestration that contribute to global climatic stability. The forest of the PPSRNP helps in climate control by moderating temperature and rainfall patterns.

Watershed Properties

The PPSRNP serves as an important basin for two river systems; the Cabayugan River and the Babuyan River. The Cabayugan River flows through Mt. St. Paul which eventually becomes the Underground River, while park include major tributaties for the babuyan river which at 54 km is the longest river in Palawan, flows from the highlands behind Marufinas, through the Kayasan CADC, Tagabinet and ends up in Honda Bay on the east coast. It provides water to local communities for domestic an agriculture use.

Economic Contribution

As the premier tourist destination of Puerto Princesa, that park makes major contribution to the local economy by earning from tourism related activities and providing locals with livelihood. The Park attracts over 63,000 local and foreign visitors annually. Direct contribution to the City tourism revenues estimated at P180 million.