Rice terraces' rehab stepped up

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – With the success of Palawan’s Underground River in the New 7 Wonders of Nature search, Ifugao officials are stepping up efforts to rehabilitate the province’s world-famous rice terraces.

Although beset by lack of funds, Ifugao Gov. Eugene Balitang said local government units have been working hard to restore the centuries-old rice terraces, threatened by landslides and earthworms that cause soil erosion.

“We are also trying to drum up private sector support for the restoration of the damaged portions of the terraces,” he said.

Balitang said Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat and Sen. Francis Pangilinan are also spearheading moves to get local and international support through the recently launched “Save the Ifugao Terraces” movement. 

Once touted as the eighth wonder of the world, the rice terraces have been deteriorating, prompting the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to include it among the world’s endangered heritage sites.

The restoration efforts though have been beset by the seeming lack of interest among the young Ifugaos.

But Balitang said they are addressing this by convincing the young generation to continue nurturing the terraces which, aside from providing livelihood to thousands of local farmers, is also one of the country’s tourism gems.

Balitang said they are still awaiting the release of a P20-million fund that they requested recently from the Office of the President to prop up the rehabilitation work.

Initially, Balitang said they need some P200 million to restore collapsed portions of the rice terraces in the towns of Banaue, Kiangan, Mayoyao and Hunguan. 

However, he said the successive typhoons last September and October not only hampered their efforts but also ballooned the rehabilitation cost.

Last week, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala vowed to help in the restoration work by employing indigenous practices and promoting organic farming among villagers tilling the rice terraces.