7 New Wonders of the World

Of four natural wonders the Philippines is gunning for inclusion in the New 7 Wonders (N7W) of Nature, only one remains in the top seven now.

This prompted the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) to pass a resolution enjoining all governors and all other local government unit (LGU) administrations in the country to support the Tubbataha Reef of Palawan, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol , the underground river of Puerto Princesa City and the Mayon Volcano of Albay in the N7W of Nature global competition.

Govs. Erico Aumentado of Bohol and Mario Joel Reyes of Palawan introduced Resolution No. 2000-018 during the LPP General Assembly on Sept. 12 at the Marco Polo Plaza, a hotel and convention center in this city.

Selection of the 77 semi-finalists – and ultimately the 21 finalists and the New 7 Wonders of Nature – is by internet voting. Voters can log on to www.new7wonders.com, click on N7W and go to the live ranking to view the top 77. As soon as votes are in, the live ranking is updated twice a day, so that the league is seeking support for the country's nominees.

Of the Philippines' nominees – all with Official Supporting Committees (OSC) already – Puerto Princesa Subterranean River in Palawan is No. 6. Mayon Volcano is at No. 9 while the Chocolate Hills is at No. 11 although it used to be No. 3. The Tubbataha Reef is at No. 18.

The LPP is taking the cudgels for the nominees in securing votes in order that their inclusion among the 21 finalists, and ultimately their selection in the N7W of Nature can be realized, the resolution stated.

The assembly unanimously adopted the resolution that was certified true and correct by Gov. Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar, secretary general, and attested by Govs. Mario Joel Reyes of Palawan, executive vice president, and Loreto Leo Ocampos of Misamis Occidental, national president.

A check last night of the N7W website however showed changes in the contest mechanics. 

It said voting for nominees will continue through July 7, 2009. Then the New7Wonders of Nature Panel of Experts, under the leadership of Prof. Federico Mayor, former Director-General of UNESCO, will review the top 77 nominees and choose the 21 finalists, to be announced on 21 July 2009. The 21 finalists will then be put to popular vote. 

But on Jan. 1, 2009, only one national nominee per country will be allowed to proceed: the highest ranked in the voting on Dec. 31, 2008. Therefore until the end of 2008, countries with more than one national nominee will be racing to choose the national representative that is allowed to continue into 2009.

Nominees shared by more than one country will remain and continue into 2009.

The New 7 Wonders of Nature is a spin-off of the New 7 Wonders of the World campaign that was a resounding success. The latter had more than 100 million votes cast, taking democracy to a new global level. 

Now, the second campaign organized still by the non-profit New7Wonders Foundation, to choose the New7Wonders of Nature, is off to a promising start: Some 200 nominations were submitted by some half a million people within the first few months of the campaign, the website said. - Bohol Chronicle