Government sets aside P30M for rice terraces rehab

After years of degradation, the famed Ifugao Rice Terraces is now getting a shot in the arm from the government which is earmarking P30 million to restore its grandeur as a World Heritage site.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala rallied local officials on the pressing need to restore the terraces, one of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems recognized by the United Nations, by promising funding for this.

For starters, the Department of Agriculture (DA) was allotting P10 million to repair the eroded and damaged portions and reinforce the irrigation systems of the world-renowned terraces in Batad town, he said.

Another P20 million would be allocated for the reinforcement and upgrade of similar rice terraces, including the picturesque Banaue rice terraces, and rice terraces in Mayoyao, Hapao and Kiangan towns, he added.