Ifugao seeks more funds to restore rice terraces

MANILA, Philippines - Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat asked the government yesterday to continue providing funds for the restoration of the Ifugao Rice Terraces.

Baguilat said the government and the Ifugao people must not let their guard down even with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) decision to remove the rice terraces from the list of endangered World Heritage sites.

 “We still face problems like poverty, which leads to the abandonment of the terraces by Ifugaos who feel they need to go elsewhere to have a better life,” he said.

However, he said his people have taken great steps to restore their small rice farms in the mountains.

Baguilat pointed out that such efforts, along with funds from the national government and the private sector, and voluntary restoration work by local tourists, helped convince the World Heritage Commission to remove the Ifugao Rice Terraces from the list of endangered sites.

“But we must continue efforts to preserve the terraces because the work should never end,” he said. 

He noted the UNESCO’s assessment that only 50 percent of the rice terraces have so far been restored.

Baguilat also appealed to foreign and local tourists visiting Ifugao to take extra care in protecting and preserving the unique cascading rice farms.

Meanwhile, a study to determine the age of the rice terraces is being conducted in partnership with a foreign university.

 Funded by the National Geographic Society, the project is a joint undertaking of the University of Guam, Save the Ifugao Terrace Movement, National Museum, Ifugao State University, University of the Philippines and the Ifugao provincial government. 

Initial findings from excavations at the so-called Old Kiyyangan Village, some four kilometers from Kiangan town’s poblacion, will be released today. – With Charlie Lagasca, Artemio Dumlao