NCAA: Stop Banaue rice terraces ‘photobomber’

By Victor Martin

LAGAWE, Ifugao – The National Commission for Culture and the Arts has asked the local government of Banaue to stop the construction of a proposed parking building near the rice terraces.

In a letter signed by NCCA chairman Felipe de Leon Jr. on Aug. 5, the commission called on Mayor Jerry Dalipog, the municipal council headed by Vice Mayor Joel Bungallon and other concerned officials to preserve the “outstanding universal value” of the rice terraces. 

“We respectfully request you to immediately cease the construction of the P55-million medium-rise multi-level parking facility,” De Leon said. 

Barangay Poblacion chief Fernando Bahatan, lawyer Kendall Immoliap, fiscal Zenaida Munar-Niwane, former Banaue mayor Lino Madchiw and Grasibel Rufino on Tuesday filed a motion for reconsideration on Tuesday after their petition for a temporary restraining order was denied by Regional Trial Court Branch 34 Judge Esther Flor.

The petitioners questioned the alleged use of municipal development funds as collateral for a P55-million loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines to finance the project with an interest of P27.1 million payable in 15 years. 

They added that the building would be constructed in the only open space where festivals and other cultural events in the municipality are held. 

Dalipog had said he saw no problem in the construction of the parking building, citing an environment compliance certificate issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.