As of now, Philippines’’ Boracay underwent rehabilitation due to its repulsive state from tourist’s usage and garbage disposed. Now the government is planning a dry-run on restoring Manila Bay. Yet, these places are not just de rigueur but also the world’s eighth wonder, the Banaue Rice Terraces.

Banaue Rice Terraces is located in Ifugao province, just a 10-hour drive from Manila. It was built by Ifugao farmers 2000 years ago with just BARE hands! The terraces cover 10, 360 kilometers of mountainous parts of region that made a huge cultural impact. UNESCO on 1995 dubbed as the EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD with its unique, beautiful, and breath-taking view. They are along with the prominent Angkor Wat, Galapagos Islands, Great Barrier Reef with Vigan City, Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (Davao Oriental), Puerto Prinsesa Subterranean River National Park (Palawan), Tubbataha Reefs National Park (Sulu). But not just by its outstanding view, Banaue Rice Terraces has been also a great source for rice production in the province and has an ancient but efficient irrigation system.

HOW IT BECAME A VICTIM OF NEGLECT?

Regardless of its beauty, Banaue Rice Terraces became less sufficient because of negligence of the government and even the townspeople. I bet you haven’t watched news flashed on your screens that this eighth wonder is in the verge of dying. 6, 325 hectares are probably damaged due to soil erosion and others were been a location of building houses. The two main threats that these terraces face are: destruction from soil erosion and migration of farmer.

Soil erosion speeds up with climate change. According to Ifugao Cultural Heritage Office, landslides are continuous problem. In 2011, typhoons washed away over 102, 000 cubic meters of soil while destroying crops planted leaving farmers devastated with the calamity. The ecosystem that thrives in and around it is affected such as the plants, animals, and the people as well. The domino effect of the destruction results to difficulty to restore, farmers losing interest, and even death of the rice terraces itself.

Neglected by the government, and neglected by its townspeople to conserve its beauty on to continue on farming. The local government has not put much effort that much on preserving and restoring Banaue Rice Terraces. Lack of budget and manpower are seen reasons why they action hasn’t been done. Another is, farmers losing interest in farming. People in Ifugao migrate to cities to try their lack in business and other commercially inclined work. The problem seen is that their work on the rice terraces has been a sacrifice because of the little monetary they receive as payback for rice production.               

With these problems, there were some private organization such as UHI and TOFARM that pushes for the advancement of Philippine agriculture and to recognize farmers as country heroes. This step meant to bring back the interest of Filipinos in farming and encourage them to help restore Philippines’ renowned Banaue Rice Terraces. They are also trying to partner up with the local government to rehabilitate areas destroyed.

Restoring the rich cultural heritage does not only work on one person, or one group. It must be worked by thousands of people that appreciate the life that these terraces have given. By so in doing that, your signs are what we need to address this problem to the government and even to the world. Your sign can help restore our world heritage and can help raise Filipino farmers.

                For Ifugaos, Banaue Rice Terraces wasn’t only for production, it was more like a treasure needed to be cherished. SIGN NOW!