Senate probe sought on mining in rice terraces

By Charlie Lagasca

BANAUE, Ifugao -- – A Senate inquiry is being sought into reports of small-scale mining within the Ifugao rice terraces, which are already in the list of endangered heritage sites due to soil erosion and the presence of giant earthworms.

Sen. Loren Legarda said she would seek a Senate investigation into the reported illegal mining activities in some parts of the terraces, including those declared heritage sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Legarda, who recently inspected portions of the terraces in Banaue, Ifugao, said small-scale mining is an additional threat to the already deteriorating rice terraces.

“The encroachment of illegal small-scale mining operations in the Ifugao rice terraces further puts a threat to the already rapidly deteriorating state of this heritage site,” said Legarda in an e-mailed statement.

According to earlier reports, small-scale mining has been going on in Hapao village in Hungduan town and in Ducligan and Bangaan villages in Banaue, all in the list of UNESCO-declared heritage sites.

Legarda said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the provincial mining regulatory board should look into these illegal activities and carry out measures to immediately stop these.

“The invasion of small-scale mining actually started in (Barangay) Hapao… Are we going to give attention to this when there’s already a disaster?” warned Ifugao Rep. TeodoroBaguilat, one of the prime movers of the “Save the Terraces” movement.

Aside from the physical threats, the rice terraces’ continued existence has also been put in jeopardy by the seeming lack of concern of younger Ifugaos in preserving the heritage site.

The provincial government is spearheading the rehabilitation of the rice terraces through volunteerism. National government officials have also pledged to help restore the once leading tourism destination.

Earlier, Gov. Eugene Balitang said some P200 million was needed to restore the rice terraces.