APART from world-famous Boracay in Aklan and other beaches in Palawan and Bohol, the Banaue Rice Terraces in Ifugao province are also experiencing serious degradation and in need of immediate government attention. The Banaue Rice Terraces is one of several Rice Terraces in the northern Cordillera region and the most popular among tourists but because of several factors like soil erosion and lack of interest in farming among younger generations, the area is now deemed to be in serious trouble. He disclosed a planned Senate inquiry into the rice terraces on Monday after visiting the Banaue Rice Terraces and he saw the poor situation of what was once hailed to be one of the world’s greatest engineering wonders. Banaue and other rice terraces in the Cordillera region were declared National Treasures in 1973 though Presidential Decrees 260 and in 1978 through PD 1505. In June 2012, the World Heritage Committee decided to remove the Ifugao Rice Terraces from the list of endangered world heritage sites over successful efforts of the Philippines to restore them.

Source: Manila Times April 10, 2018 16:07 UTC