Ifugao Governor denies rice terraces deteriorating

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The vast expanse of the rice terraces in Ifugao are being taken care of, Ifugao Gov. Jerry Dalipog said yesterday as he denied a claim by the United Nations-Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO) that the World Heritage Site is “in a very critical stage of deterioration.” 

In fact, some P194 million will be allotted in 2020 for the rehabilitation, Dalipog said. 

The FAO said the continued survival of the terraces is threatened by various factors such as environmental degradation, unregulated development and neglect brought about by urbanization and changing values. 

Dalipog said there has not been any communication from the FAO to the provincial government of Ifugao regarding the state of the rice terraces. He said that international partners are aware of the rehabilitation and restoration programs for the rice terraces. 

The governor said the P194-million budget for the rice terraces rehabilitation next year would be sourced from the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.  

The FAO recognizes the Ifugao Rice Terraces as a globally important agricultural heritage system.