Joint team submits plans for Banaue terraces rehab

THE PLANS for the restoration of the Banaue Rice Terraces of Batad are ready.

The multi-agency team from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Central Office, DA Regional Field Office-Cordillera, National Irrigation Administration-Ifugao, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Provincial LGU Offices of Agriculture and Environment, Planning and Development, Ifugao Cultural Heritage Office, Municipal Agriculture Office, and representatives from the Offices of the Governor and the Congressional District of Ifugao deliberated on the operational plan and work and financial plan since Friday.

The prepared one-year operational plan and World Food Programme incorporated the following components: 1) production support; 2) extension support; and 3) agri-infrastructure support. The total tentative cost proposed for the implementation of these components is P36,253,000. Out of the total, the DA will contribute a total of P23,890,000, according to Dr. Danilo Daguio, DA-Regional Field Office-Cordillera regional technical director.

Ifugao Provincial Agriculture and Environment Officer Raymund Bahatan reported the team’s output to Governor Eugene Balitang before the team finally adjourned their workshop sessions today, February 9.

Included under the Production Support activities are Community Seed Banking and Soil and Water Conservation (Establishment of Nursery and Reforestation).

Under agri-infrastructure, the following projects were proposed: restoration of damaged and abandoned rice terraces, construction of rice terraces protection walls, rehabilitation and improvement of irrigation facilities, and other irrigation projects in support to the Ifugao Rice Terraces, construction of Solar Dryer (cobble stone), and installation of hydraulic ram pump.

Agricultural Extension Support activities to be carried out for the restoration of the Batad Rice Terraces are Technology Demonstration (farm mechanization, establishment of rice-based farming systems, conduct of farmer field schools, strengthening of rural-based organizations, and conduct of other related extension activities and training activities.

A congressional fund initiative worth P10 million through the Office of Representative Teddy Baguilat Jr. will be used for the other rice terraces heritage sites in Ifugao Province.

Approval of Saturday’s output by DA Secretary Proceso Alcala will trigger implementation of the activities as soon as the funds are released by the Department of Budget and Management. Immediate activities following the submission of the plans to the DA involves the preparation of memorandum of agreements and the preparation of work programs for agri-infrastructures

Balitang thanked the team for working overtime to prepare the basic plans that incorporates the aspirations of the local populace for the early restoration works for the Batad Rice Terraces, which is major World Heritage site.

He specifically cited DA Secretary Alcala, Assistant Secretary Dante Delima, National Rice Program Coordinator, Baguilat and the DA-RFO-Cordillera for the special hands-on attention and interest given to make the restoration efforts for the rice terraces moving in behalf of the people of Ifugao. (Robert Domoguen)