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Ifugao rice terraces rehab on to avert deterioration
By Dexter A See

LAGAWE, Ifugao — The Ifugao Rice Terraces and Cultural Heritage Office here is now rehabilitating damaged portions of the world-famous rice terraces in Hungduan and Mayoyao towns, this province, two of the popular World-Heritage sites.

The rehabilitation work is intended to avert the rapid deterioration of the scenic tourist destination.

Earlier, IRTCHO reported the completion of the rehabilitation of portions of the rice terraces in Bangaan, Banaue town.

The present rehabilitation is focused on the rice terraces in Battad, Banaue town, and Nagacadan, Kiangan town.

The project is in line with the efforts of the local, national, and international groups to restore the rapidly deteriorating Ifugao rice terraces, one of the top tourist destinations of the country.

The Ifugao provincial government forged recently an agreement with farmers organizations at the heritage sites to ensure the continuous maintenance of the restored portions of the terraces.
The agreement obligates IRTCHO to provide expert advice, technical services and financial assistance in the hiring of experts who will supervise the rip-rap work at the eroded rice terraces. IRTCHO is also required to participate in monitoring the progress of the restoration work and to see to it that the process meets in quantity and quality standards.

The rehabilitation is a part of a bigger effort to preserve the world-heritage sites described by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a living cultural landscape.

The rice terraces, constructed by great Ifugao ancestors some 2,000 years ago, started to deteriorate when giant earthworms invaded the area and caused massive erosion of the earthen structures.

It was also noted by IRTCHO that illegal settlers from different parts of the Luzon constructed dwellings in the rice terraces, which ruined the natural beauty and grandeur of the heritage sites.

But despite its deterioration, thousands of tourists still continue to flock to this province to have a glimpse of one of the wonders in the world.

UNESCO had warned local and national leaders that it would be forced to recommend the deletion of the rice terraces from the list of World Heritage sites if the deterioration is not stopped.

Provincial officials said a lot has already been done to preserve and restore the original grandeur the rice terraces.

The officials asked stakeholders to help in the efforts for the rehabilitation and restoration of the collapsed portions of the terraces in the next two years.