Puerto Princesa underground river tours suspended

PPSRNP Superintendent Elizabeth Maclang said the underground river has been closed since August 3. They tried to resume operations on August 5 but closed it again in the meantime because of the situation of tough river flow. (Photo courtesy of Rommel Cruz via PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The management of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) has temporarily suspended Monday all underground river tours due to the strong flow of current from the cave, which is influenced by incessant rains.

PPSRNP Superintendent Elizabeth Maclang said the underground river has been closed since August 3. They tried to resume operations on August 5 but closed it again in the meantime because of the situation of tough river flow.

“Sad to say canceled ang PPUR tours today kasi malakas ang agos ng river due to heavy rains (Sad to say PPUR tours are canceled today due to the strong flow of currents in the river caused by heavy rains),” she said.

Maclang said operations will return to normal as soon as the weather clears.

“Kahapon (August 5) kinaya lang pero hirap ang mga bankero sa loob ng kweba kasi maagos talaga (Yesterday, our paddle boat operators tried to go in, but they had a hard time because of the strong flow of current),” Maclang said.

Meanwhile, Association of Accredited Tour Operators of Puerto Princesa (AATOPP) president Arnie Lim said while tours in the underground river are temporarily suspended, guests in the city can opt to visit around 18 identified community-based sustainable tourism (CBST) sites.

“Hindi dapat masayang ang punta nila dito kapag maulan kasi puwede naman nilang pasyalan iyong mga CBST sites natin. Meron ng mga bundled packages kaming na-identify and they can visit two to three sites in one day (Their time here should not be wasted during the rainy season because they can visit our CBST sites. We have identified bundled packages and they visit two to three sites in one day),” Lim said.

Lim said they suggest to visitors to visit Honda Bay, do the City Tour and CBST sites that are safe if they cannot enter the PPUR due to unfavorable weather condition or if it is fully-booked.