Ifugao rice terraces get $50,000 UNESCO fund for rehabilitation

LAGAWE, Ifugao– The Ifugao Rice Terraces, known worldwide for its splendor, got a $50,000 grant from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) for its rehabilitation.

Ifugao Gov. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. bared this here saying the series of typhoons severely affected the rice terraces.

The governor said the fund would be used to rehabilitate rice terraces destroued by tyuphoons which reduced harvest especially when the “Tinawon” rice (a native rice variety that has gained prominence) is open for export.

“In previous years, our ancestors could predict when the rain comes and consider it as a blessing. But now, because of climate change, rains have become destructive to our farmers, even causing pestilence in our rice terraces,” Baguilat said said during the recent Accelerated anti-Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) forum and Barangay Nutrition Scholars Congress at the Lagawe Central School in Barangay Poblacion here.

“While we cannot ascertain yet, definitely it will affect our production,” he added. “In fact, we are asking the Department of Agriculture to repair our irrigation system. And this is the first time that the National Irrigation Administration is assisting us because of the destruction.”

The Unesco grant will onlyh be used for rehabilitation of rice terraces in Banaue, Mayoyao, Hungduan and Kiangan towns.