THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will commence by the end of February the P30-million rehabilitation program for the world-famous Ifugao Rice Terraces, which was damaged by recent typhoons.

Dante Delima, DA assistant secretary and National Rice Program coordinator, said they are now fast-tracking the release of funds to restore the grandeur of the Ifugao Rice Terraces to maintain its status as UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Globally-Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).

“Not only that the Ifugao Rice Terraces symbolize the 2000-year-old effort to sustain rice self-sufficiency in the country, but it also serves as the model for the government’s effort to mitigate the effects of climate change,” Delima said in an interview.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization has cited the Ifugao rice terraces as the country’s only remaining highland mountain ecosystem, featuring the ingenuity of the Ifugaos, and a remarkable agricultural farming system which has retained the viability.

FAO also noted the efficacy of the thousand of years of organic paddy farming practices in the rice terraces as a valuable importance to the country’s food sufficiency.

Delima said the continued viability of the rice terraces displays a strong relationship between culture and nature. Communal forests that support the rice terraces are unique examples of sustainable agricultural practices.

“More than just tourist attractions, the rice terraces also serve as food security and environmental conservation measure for the people,” he said.

The DA, together with the Office of Senator Francis Pangilinan, allotted P30 million for the repair of eroded and damaged portions, and reinforce the irrigation systems of the rice terraces at Batad town.

Delima said that the funding may still increase up to P35 million as they enlist the help of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“We will finalize the program by Tuesday during our action planning. We also want to expand the participation of DSWD through the cash-for-work program to ensure manpower requirement and complete the restoration within three months,” the official said.

In a separate interview, Ifugao Governor Eugene Balitang said that they have already provided their counterpart funding for the rehabilitation project, saying they expect to completely restore the defaced portion of the rice terraces in time for the dry cropping season.

Balitang also denied earlier reports quoting him that the DA failed to deliver to its commitment to the Ifugao people. He added that the statements were “taken out of context.”

“The statement was meant for the provincial board, who were asking me too explain why they were not informed about the P30 million fund,” the governor said.

At the same time, Balitang said that they will continue to provide the national government the logistical support to the national government to ensure the early completion of the project.