The management of the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, has admitted problems with its facilities and services after a viral open letter described the site’s outdated and poorly maintained conditions.
In his post on Wednesday, October 29, titled “Open Letter to the Department of Tourism and Local Government Unit of Palawan,” traveler Joemar Revelo (Pinoy Islander) said he was “amazed by nature’s beauty” but “deeply concerned about the state of tourism facilities and management.”
He pointed out that the queue at the Sabang boat terminal takes too long, the area “feels chaotic,” and that ticket booths look old and poorly maintained.
Puddles form in waiting sheds, stairs and docks are slippery, and facilities are not friendly to persons with disabilities, he noted.
The ticketing system, he pointed out, still uses handwritten logs, the landscaping looks neglected, and some boats are unsafe or uncomfortable with uneven floors, noisy engines, and no backrests for passengers. Inside the river, he added that the audio guides are not synchronized.
“We should match the beauty of our environment with the quality of our infrastructure,” he wrote.
“These are not unreasonable requests—these are basic improvements that reflect how much we value our tourists and our own people,” he added.
Management admits lapses
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park Protected Area Management Office (PPSRNP-PAMO), in a statement released Friday, October 31, said it appreciates the feedback and recognizes the need for change.
“We sincerely apologize for the current challenges experienced by PPUR guests,” the management said.
“It is indeed high time to improve our tourism facilities and services,” PPSRNP-PAMO added.
It explained that upgrades take time because developments inside the park must go through strict environmental and technical reviews as required under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act.
Planned upgrades
The PPSRNP-PAMO said several improvement projects are already being implemented or prepared.
The Sabang Integrated Wharf Project, developed with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), will include new waiting areas, ticketing offices, toilets, lactation rooms, and a food court. It will also solve port safety issues such as the lack of a breakwater.
The Office of the City Architect was also allowed by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) to start a city-funded rehabilitation that covers the repair of five cottages, the boardwalk, and a new public toilet.
Minor repairs and maintenance work have already started.
Fixing systems and access
The management admitted that its manual ticketing and queuing system needs modernization and said a digital booking system will be launched by 2026.
It also plans to upgrade audio devices inside the cave and replace wooden boats with fiberglass and electric-powered models for safer, quieter, and more sustainable tours.
The office said it is also working on making the site accessible to persons with disabilities, including plans for a special boat that can accommodate PWDs.
Sustainable improvements
PPSRNP-PAMO said it is guided by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the PAMB in making sure upgrades do not harm the park’s ecological integrity.
The management also thanked park employees and boat operators who continue to serve visitors despite the difficulties.
“Together with concerned citizens, partner institutions, and tourism advocates, we strive to ensure that this World Heritage Site continues to inspire pride among Filipinos and admiration from visitors around the world—today and for generations to come,” the statement said.
