Ifugao Rice Terraces gets $50,000 from UNESCO for rehabilitation

Lagawe, Ifugao , Philippines  – The world-renowed Ifugao Rice Terraces got a $50,000 grant from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) for its rehabilitation.

Ifugao Gov. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. in announcing the grant said the series of typhoons have severely affected the rice terraces in the province.

“In the previous years, our ancestors could predict when the rain comes and consider it as a blessing. But now, because of climate change, rains have become destructive to our farmers, even causing pestilence in our rice terraces,” the Ifugao governor said during the recent Accelerated anti-Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) forum and Barangay Nutrition Scholars Congress at the Lagawe Central School in Barangay Poblacion here.

Baguilat said the Unesco’s $50,000 assistance is a response to help the recent wrath of typhoon Emong that battered the province, along with other succeeding typhoons.

The damage wrought by the typhoons to the rice terraces have also tremendously reduced harvest especially when the “Tinawon” rice (a native rice variety that has gained prominence and delight) is open for export.

“While we cannot ascertain yet, definitely it will affect our production. In fact, we are asking the Department of Agriculture to repair our irrigation system. And this is the first time that the National Irrigation Administration is assisting us because of the destruction,” the governor said.

 The Unesco grant will be solely used for the rehabilitation of the rice terraces in Banaue, Mayoyao, Hungduan and Kiangan towns.