International help sought for rice terraces

MANILA, Philippines - Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat appealed to the international donor community to extend much-needed funds to rehabilitate the world-famous Ifugao Rice Terraces, which was badly damaged by recent typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel.”

Baguilat said large portions of the rice terraces in Banaue collapsed at the height of Pedring and Quiel that hit northern Luzon, and “significant funds will be required to put them back into their original splendor.”

“We need all the help that we can get to restore the rice terraces that are not just part of the Ifugao way of life and identity but are also a source of livelihood for the people,” he said.

Funds have been slowly trickling in but much more needs to be sourced to help the province classified as one of the poorest in the Philippines, but one of the biggest tourism draws in the country due to the Ifugao Rice Terraces, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Baguilat said.

He cited latest disaster reports from the province that indicated the main terrace districts are among the most damaged by the successive typhoons, with Banaue suffering the biggest damage.

Mayoyao, Hungduan and Kiangan were likewise affected by the typhoons, the worst to hit the province in recent years, he said.

The two typhoons left millions of pesos in damage to infrastructure and property, prompting the local government to declare a state of calamity.

Baguilat said there was an urgent need to restore the terraces as they act as a giant water purifier and also help minimize soil erosion, which is one of the causes of flooding.

He also said many Ifugao residents rely on the terraces for their livelihood.

Baguilat said restoring the rice terraces would also help prevent further siltation of the Magat Dam, which sources a big part of its water from the Cordillera mountain range.

“Magat Dam has become heavily silted and easily overflows during continuous rains. Rehabilitating the rice terraces will minimize siltation due to soil erosion,” he said.