EL NIDO, PALAWAN

When the Underground River or St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park of Puerto Princesa City in the province of Palawan, was declared as one of the World’s New Seven Wonders of Nature, a hundredfold increase in the number of tourist was noted as compared to previous years. The entire province and the city have never been busier, including two of Palawan’s  popular towns of El Nido and Coron. These places are among the country’s must-see destinations famous for their breathtaking limestone rock formations, their enticing crystal-clear waters that are best for snorkelling and scuba diving and the powdery white sands.                    

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the government agency that manages all ports nationwide, said that El Nido experienced the surge in tourism gauging from the influx of tourists who were mostly from European countries. Tourism, aside from the increasing volume of cargoes (basic commodities) to and from Manila and an aggressive port collection contributed to the remarkable increase in port revenue from Php 3.4Million in 2009 to Php 15Million as of December 2011.

The port has recently been rehabilitated with improved port facilities which include a new passenger terminal, concrete pavements, installation of lights and fencing for security.  It could not, however, accommodate bigger vessels especially the Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) type of sea crafts because of its low water draft. The PPA’s plan in 2009 to dredge the area at the cost of Php 29 million was met with stiff resistance from local officials and community groups because of environmental concerns. After a series of consultations and with the affirmation of the local authorities to go ahead with the dredging, the budget already ballooned to Php120 million. RoRo vessels would definitely bring in more tourists as these would lower the cost of travel to the island just like what has happened in Puerto Galera in Mindoro and Boracay in Aklan.
At daytime, guests may hire a "banca" for P250,00 per person and tour around the nearby islets, chose an island to while away the time and go snorkeling. An island with a cove for me was the best. Going back late in the afternoon though is not advisable because waves already get bigger.      

At night time, pub houses and bars in El Nido teem with foreigners that local visitors might think that he or she is transported to a foreign land if not for the nipa house façade of the establishments.

Ms. Nerissa Dado, the manager of El Nido’s cargo handling operator Bacuit Arrastre Association, Inc., said that the El Nido port community is all-out in supporting the activities that would ensure the cleanliness of the port and the environment and the safety and security of passengers. She opined that it will be for the benefit of the townspeople to always present the best of what the place could offer. 

The welcoming atmosphere of the port was enhanced with decorative and edible plants in its surroundings.  The PPA’s terminal port manager,  hopes for a much bigger port of El Nido in the near future so that bigger vessels could be accommodated and bring in more Filipinos to marvel the beauty of their own country and at the same time, meet the demands of increasing foreign tourist arrivals.     

Palawan's Underground River

One of the must-see places in the Philippines is the Underground River in Puerto Princesa, Palawan which is among the top finalists of the  New Seven Wonders of Nature for 2011. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is 50 kilometers away from the city, and it took us about two hours to reach  the place. I'm sure, information on how to get there is readily available in any hotel as even in the lodging house where we stayed, we got flyers for package tours from its coffee shop. For the more adventurous, jeepneys or vans for a more comfy ride are available and are stationed near the city but visitors must be there very early morning because at the Sabang fish port, they have to get a number and pay for the permit from its tourism booking office. It is not advisable to go there late morning especially during the summer months of March to May because of the influx of visitors. The boats, motorized or paddled, are limited so the time of waiting might turned off one's excitement. 

From the fish port, we took a motorized banca because it was easier to reach the entrance of the cave rather than take a mountain trek. The sight was already breathtaking along the shore going to the cave with white sand and mountain formation which reminded me of Jurassic Park. We were advised not to bring food while passing the jungle trail going to the cave as monkeys in the area  have a bad habit of snatching anything worth their fancy. I haven't seen one though except a monitor lizard.  Greeting us after the short monkey trail was a green lagoon where paddle boats good up to six persons were waiting.

Entering the "bat cave", was eerie as it was so dark except for the car-battery-operated spotlight used by the boatman cum tourist guide who was joking and sharing anecdotes all throughout the 45-minute ride pointing at stalagmite and stalactite formations resembling fruits, vegetables, people and saints. Being fond of horror movies, I imagined a big creature under the river would suddenly appear and eat  us alive.