Ifugao gov: Where's millions of pesos for terraces' rehab?

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines  – Except for P10,000 cash, the Ifugao provincial government has not seen any of the millions of pesos supposedly allotted by the national government for the rehabilitation of the renowned rice terraces.

“It seems that (some national government officials do) not know who the governor of Ifugao is. They should have informed us about all these allocations first before announcing them,” said Ifugao Gov. Eugene Balitang.

Balitang was commenting on the reported P30 million allocated for the rehabilitation of the terraces, once the country’s top tourist attraction, which have been damaged by years of erosion aggravated by giant earthworms, lack of interest among young Ifugaos to maintain them, and the recent typhoons.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) recently announced the release of P20 million for the terraces’ rehabilitation, while Sen. Francis Pangilinan’s office reported it had allotted P10 million for the terraces through the National Irrigation Administration.

Even Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala pledged the amount during his visit to the province late last year. Other senators also vowed to allot funds for the terraces’ restoration.

Pangilinan himself, along with Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, even led the launching of the Save the Terraces Movement last year to further get national and international attention for the rehabilitation of the terraces, once dubbed as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

“I think it would be best if these different government agencies coordinate with our office before making announcements. It’s a different situation here in the field since, if we are unable to explain matters to our constituents, people tend to think that we have pocketed the amounts,” Balitang said.

The provincial government has been following up with the Office of the President the release of some P20 million as initial funding for the terraces’ rehabilitation.

A DA official earlier said the department’s allotment would possibly be completed by March and coursed to the various towns where the terraces are located.

The terraces are situated in the villages of Batad and Bangaan in Banaue town; Hapao, Maggok, Dikkitan and Bakung in Hungduan town; Mayoyao town; and Nagacadan and Julongan in Kiangan town.

“I’m tired of (government officials) making political statements (concerning the release of funds for the terraces). If they still don’t have the money, they should not make any announcements so that our people would not be expecting any­thing,” Balitang said.

Last year, Balitang said they needed at least P200 million to bring the terraces back to its picture-perfect state.

But what they got so far, he said, is only P10,000, plus 200 kilos of rice, 100 kilos of mongo and 10 kilos of dried fish as DA assistance.