Banaue Rice Terraces

The famous Banaue Rice terraces, considered as the eighth wonder of the world, is found in Ifugao. Constructed by sturdy Ifugaos, these famed mud-walled rice terraces has been visited a thousand times by many a traveler from all over the world. In 1995, UNESCO considered Banaue rice Terraces as a World Heritage Site.

Banaue Rice Terraces traces its construction 2000 to 6000 years ago. These majestic man-made creations are located 1500 meters above sea level and cover 10,360 square kilometers of mountainside.

How to go to Banaue? Read Waypoints'.

The century old- tourist drawing rice terraces however are now endangered.

Lack of maintenance is one reason why some of the rice terraces are eroding. Residents are now venturing into small scale industries where income comes in faster rather than waiting for cash during harvest time.

Due to non-maintenance, giant earthworms crawl into these structures, competing with much needed water, thus eroding the structures. Deforestation in the upper slopes is also a culprit to the eroding rice terraces. Read more of Maurice Malanes' article and here.

Other century old rice terraces as well are found in nearby provinces of Mountain Province, Kalinga, Abra, Apayao, and Benguet. Although, these are stone-walled rather than mud-walled terraces.

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Pests, migration threaten 2000 year old Philippine terraces

Ifugaos celebrate harvest ritual

Among the Ifugaos of highland Philippines, rice harvest is celebrated in a ritual called Bakle, observed by the cooking of rice cakes called binakle. The indigenous peoples here, go from house to house to partake in eating the rice cakes and drinking tapuey (rice wine). A festive celebration is observed to give thanks to Kabunyan (God) for good harvest in the month of August. The ceremony is complete with the butchering of a hen and a rooster. Gloria Tuazon of Northern Philippine Times writes in her column,Trails up North, her travel to Mayoyao, Ifugao, to witness the ritual. (Two photos by Glo Tuazon)

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Rites and rituals

Where is Ifugao

Ifugao is located in the Cordillera region of the Philippines characterized by a rugged and mountainous terrain. It borders Benguet to the west, Mountain Province to the north, Isabela to the east, and Nueva Vizcaya to the south. Ifugao locates Banaue Rice Terraces, a major tourist attraction of the province. The famous rice terraces was declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1995. Ifugao can be reached via Bontoc, Mountain Province or straight from Manila.

What are we celebrating in Cordillera month?

That was 22 years ago when rebel priest Conrado Balweg signed a peace accord with then President Corazon Aquino at Mt Data Hotel in September 13, 1986. A year after, Aquino signed Executive Order 220 in July 15, 1987 which gave birth to the establishment of Cordillera Administrative Region paving the way for Cordillera autonomy. Republic Act No. 6766 followed on October 23, 1989 which provided an Organic Act for CAR and policies set for the proposed Cordillera autonomous government to exercise governmental functions including tax generation.

On the Cordillera region’s 21st anniversary and its ideals of what it purports to be, what do we see now? As we can obviously note, the dream of slain rebel priest Conrado Balweg to see a freely determining and progressive Cordillera is yet far down the road. For one, the region’s natural resources are still within the absolute control of the State.

Consider Magat River which flows in the jurisdiction of Isabela and Ifugao. While rules provide that the share of local government units in taxes which accrue from the use of respective territories will be provided to LGUs, this does not come automatically.

Ifugao Gov. Teddy Baguilat has to lobby for the release of Ifugao’s share in taxes from SN Aboitiz due the province from operations of the Magat Power Plant. The amount of P28 million share of Ifugao still awaits legal mandate from the Department of Energy for them to release the tax share of Ifugao.

MORE: Northern Philippine Times