History
The PPSRNP was established on March 26, 1971, by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No.835. Formerly known as the St. Paul Subterranean National Park, it initially comprised of 3,901 hectares. To ensure long-term viability, Proclamation No. 212 was signed on November 16, 1999 expanding the area of the Park to 22,202 hectares and renamed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park to properly identify it with the place.
Early History
The Underground River has a long history. It is believed that the islands early inhabitants were
the first to know of the existence the cave, but fear of spirits that they believe inhabit the
caves prevented them from exploring the depts. Its name may be credited to early explorer
like Commander Bates of the English navy, and his successor in reconnoitering the island of
paragua on the corvette Royalist from 1850 onwards, giving the names like St. Paul because of
its resemblance to the famous cathedral in London, So would don Claudio Montero who made
maps of the calamianes published in the hydrographic office in Madrid.
The earliest mention one could hold on to would be that of an Assistant Professor of Zoology
at the University of Michigan who later became the Secretary of Interior at the first decade of
American rule, Dean C. Worcester who wrote in 1887 while touring the island of Palawan “if
accounts are to be believed, of a lake opening to the sea by a Subterranean River”.
Management History
Management of the PPSRNP was transferred from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to the City Government of Puerto Princesa based on a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between DENR Sec. Angel C. Alcala and City Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn on December16, 1992. It has the distinction of being the first national park devolved and successfully managed by a local government unit. It is a model for effective protected area
management and sustainable tourism in the Philippines.
Early History
The Underground River has a long history. It is believed that the islands early inhabitants were
the first to know of the existence the cave, but fear of spirits that they believe inhabit the
caves prevented them from exploring the depts. Its name may be credited to early explorer
like Commander Bates of the English navy, and his successor in reconnoitering the island of
paragua on the corvette Royalist from 1850 onwards, giving the names like St. Paul because of
its resemblance to the famous cathedral in London, So would don Claudio Montero who made
maps of the calamianes published in the hydrographic office in Madrid.
The earliest mention one could hold on to would be that of an Assistant Professor of Zoology
at the University of Michigan who later became the Secretary of Interior at the first decade of
American rule, Dean C. Worcester who wrote in 1887 while touring the island of Palawan “if
accounts are to be believed, of a lake opening to the sea by a Subterranean River”.
Management History
Management of the PPSRNP was transferred from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to the City Government of Puerto Princesa based on a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between DENR Sec. Angel C. Alcala and City Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn on December16, 1992. It has the distinction of being the first national park devolved and successfully managed by a local government unit. It is a model for effective protected area
management and sustainable tourism in the Philippines.