The signs are clear. Whether the effects of global warming, deforestation, urbanization, neglect, lack of alternative sources of income or heavy tourism are to blame, the Ifugao rice terraces, dubbed as the “stairway to the sky,” is rapidly deteriorating right before our eyes.

The crumbling of the terraces in the upland Cordillera region has been so rapid that the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) has given until this year only to restore and preserve the structures.

“Time is running out. We have long been doing conservation and preservation programs,” lamented Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. “The people of Ifugao and the national government should be committed to restore the terraces and prevent it from further deterioration. Restoration is too expensive for the farmers.”

Baguilat, however, said a comprehensive management plan and systemic monitoring program should be in place to guide the local government in saving the rice terraces, which was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger in 2001.

The Ifugao Rice Terraces are found not only in Banaue, but also in the municipalities of Aguinaldo, Asipulo, Hungduan, Kiangan, Lagawe, Mayoyao and Tinoc. In 1996 the Unesco declared the Ifugao Rice Terraces as a World Heritage.

As this cultural heritage is on the brink of destruction, a team of experts from Unesco visited Ifugao last month and came up with some recommendations.

Cecille Gulliting-Kitong, project development officer of the Ifugao Cultural Heritage Office (ICHO), who was with the Unesco team, said the team noted that prominent development within the terraces is the existence of small scale mining as well as the construction of cable cars, hydropower plants, solar power systems and other projects which have enormous impact in the rice terraces.

“There are real threats. Restoring the terraces is such an enormous task,” Gulliting-Kitong said. “The team suggested that an environmental-impact assessment should be secured first for enormous plans or projects within the terraces to determine not only the impact to the rice terraces but in various impacts such as visual and socio-economic impact.”

She added that Unesco strongly recommend to the national government to provide “dedicated funding” for the conservation of the structures.

On the repair of damaged rice terraces, it was observed that giant earthworm infestation is still considered one of the biggest threats in the destruction of the terrace walls. Earthworms measuring up to 3 feet ravage the field even elders perform rituals to stop them from burrowing the terrace walls.

With so many unsightly structures built within the terraces, Gulliting-Kitong said there is a need for guidelines as to what structures to construct so as not to destroy the landscape of the terraces.

With modernization, clusters of houses are now expanding near the paddies. A number of shanties with galvanized roofs have been erected, replacing the native cogon-thatched huts. Stalls have also been constructed to display native products to tourists.

“It was suggested that we propose funding for projects on repair of traditional houses to keep and enhance the skills of the young generation in building houses. Experts observed that nowadays, there are construction of houses or buildings in steep slopes with extensive height, expensive colorful paints and construction materials. They would prefer to see traditional wood frames for building houses as a measure for safety,” she added.

It was also observed that the forests protecting the watershed are depleted, making the irrigation system less efficient.

Last year the government has provided ICHO a measly P1.060-million budget from the 20-percent development fund under the economic sector to implement its project from restoration of stonewalls to the conduct of various grassroots level trainings.

Not giving up

Nilo Manangan, project development assistant of Ifugao, said much effort has been done to restore, preserve and protect the one of the world’s most fabled sites.

“Much work has to be done. We recognize that there are evolving problems such as survival of the people, lack of water supply, insufficient rice yield, pressure from development among other things. But we have the strategy to restore it, it’s just a matter of looking for funds to implement them,” Manangan said.

At present, the owners of the terraces are cooperating with the local government in restoring their distinctive cultural legacy through some programs like the food-for-work assistance and maintaining the watershed in the uplands. The denudation of the watershed has affected the water condition in the terraces.

In January 2010 the nonprofit sustainable energy consortium, e8, donated a $1-million hydro plant to support preservation of the rice terraces. The plant will generate electricity for the region as well as $70,000 a year in conservation funding.

As this cultural landscape is crumbling, some old people who are no longer able to work the fields are dressed up instead in tribal costumes and collect at Banaue Viewpoint to perform or pose for photographs for tourists for a minimal fee.

The younger generation like 30-year-old Dhon Lopez favored other means of livelihood over hard work in the farms. He prefers to work as a tricycle driver and a freelance tourist guide.

A native of Banaue, Lopez, who is also helping his parents and seven siblings, said he earns as high as P700 a day.

“This magnificent place is our heritage but we, natives, alone cannot restore its old grandeur state. We also have to find other means than farming in order to survive,” he added.

(Photo by Imelda V. Abaño)