LAMUT, Ifugao (PIA) -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) National Commission of the Philippines plans to harmonize the conservation initiatives for the Ifugao rice terraces which is a World Heritage Site.
The meeting held at the Ifugao State University-Main Campus linked national and local government units so they could work together and craft a master plan and heritage code for the Ifugao rice terraces.
The IRT World Heritage Site encompasses five inscribed clusters namely the Nagacadan terrace cluster in Kiangan; Batad rice terraces in Banaue; Hungduan rice terraces; Bangaan terrace cluster, and the Central Mayoyao rice terraces.
Ivan Henares, secretary-general of the UNESCO-NCP, enjoined the participants composed of personnel of the Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement; Ifugao provincial government and the and the municipal governments of Banaue, Kiangan, and Hungduan; Ifugao State University, and other stakeholders, to create an inter-agency task force to spearhead the development of the plan and the heritage code.
Provincial tourism officer Roscoe Kalaw emphasized the importance of community and farmer involvement in creating a master plan for the heritage sites, stating that “the farmers are the true site managers of the rice terraces.”
The participants also stressed the importance of raising awareness about the significance of rice terraces, it being a priceless contribution of the Ifugaos to humanity, and their outstanding universal value.
They plan to conduct community engagements, and information and education campaigns, and to construct world heritage markers in the five terraces clusters in the coming months.
Henares reiterated the expectation of producing tangible outputs by the end of the year.
The Ifugao rice terraces built more than 2000 years ago was put in the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2001. Efforts are being undertaken by both concerned national agencies and the local government to protect and preserve this natural treasure. (FBR-PIA Ifugao)
