Robredo to LGUs, DILG offices: Launch TXT PPUR 2861 on this Friday’s flag retreat

By DILG Office of Public Affairs
November 9, 2011

MANILA  –  Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo today directed all governors, mayors and barangay chairmen nationwide to conduct and attend their flag retreat on Friday and rally their constituents to vote – via text message PPUR 2861 or via the Internet – for the Puerto Princesa Underground River in the worldwide search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

The DILG chief made the call to the country’s local chief executives a day before the final voting comes to an end on November 11 (Friday at 7:00 pm) which is part of a “last-ditch” effort by all government agencies concerned for all Filipinos to support the PPUR campaign.

“I have directed all local chief executives to conduct and attend their flag retreat on Friday and rally and remind their constituents about their patriotism and what the country could get in return in terms of tourism and related revenues by voting for the PPUR campaign,” Robredo said.

He explained that since joining flag retreat ceremonies constitutes a patriotic act for all Filipinos, this is the same as participating in the PPUR campaign. “Ang pakiusap po natin sa ating mga barangay chairmen, mayors at governors na sa kanilang gagawing flag retreat ngayong Biyernes, ay pakiusapan at himukin nila ang kanilang mga constituents na ilabas muna ang  kanilang cell phones at mag-text upang bumoto para sa PPUR,” he said.

Robredo, who is chairman of the Inter-agency Task Force for the PPUR campaign created under Presidential Proclamation 182, also directed all DILG regional officers and other bureaus under it like the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, among others, to carry out the PPUR campaign during their flag retreat ceremonies this coming Friday.

Delighted to learn that the PPUR has made it to the top 10 New 7 Wonders of the World finalists in a recent update on the ongoing worldwide voting, the DILG chief said the Filipinos should not just be contented with the PPUR landing at number 7 among the finalists.

“Di dapat tayo makuntento na pumasok lang tayo sa number 7 o sa Magic 7… dapat maging number one tayo sa pitong mga papasok (new seven wonders of nature) sa contest na ito,” he said.

Aside from sending SMS message by typing PPUR and sending it to 2861, the public and all concerned government officials and employees can vote via the Internet by logging on to www.new7wonders.com.