Bontoc, Mountain Province—In a significant step towards revitalizing the Maligcong Rice Terraces, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has granted a project worth 5.5 million pesos to rehabilitate areas damaged by Typhoon Rosita in 2018 and Typhoon Egay in 2023.
To ensure the effective execution of this initiative, barangay officials and farmer-beneficiaries from Barangay Maligcong participated in an orientation and Cultural Heritage Awareness Workshop held on November 13-14, 2024. The two-day event, funded by the NCCA in collaboration with the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) and the Barangay LGU of Maligcong, aimed to clarify the project’s objectives, implementation strategies, and financial allocations. The Cultural Awareness Workshop emphasized the essential role of farmers in preserving the rice terraces and highlighted their invaluable knowledge of traditional farming practices, agricultural rituals, and riprapping techniques. Cultural Workers Ela Mae Membrere and CleftonBadecao shared their insights during the sessions as speakers.
Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr. expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the NCCA for their swift response to the funding request after the Bontoc LGU submitted the project proposal. He emphasized that the grant signifies the national government’s recognition of the cultural and natural heritage embodied in the rice terraces.
Mayor Tudlong urged the Maligcong community to fully engage with the project, focusing on restoring the damaged areas and revitalizing traditional stonewall construction skills passed down through generations.
Elizabeth Farnican from the Office of the Municipal Mayor – Tourism Unit noted that the workshop marks the beginning of the project’s implementation. The approved budget of 5.5 Million Pesos will cover the recent seminar, honoraria for farmer-beneficiaries involved in the restoration, the purchase of boulders for traditional riprapping, and compensation for two individuals hired to assist with documentation and clerical tasks for the farmers, including the preparation of Daily Time Records and Accomplishment Reports. The said project will be implemented for two months.
Farnican clarified that while the farmer-beneficiaries will provide their meals during the project, the Bontoc LGU, through the Office Municipal Mayor-Tourism Unit, will offer technical assistance in preparing monthly reports, project updates, and terminal reports.
The Maligcong Rice Terraces, declared a National Cultural Treasure by the NCCA, is a prominent tourist attraction in Bontoc, drawing visitors to its breathtaking landscapes and rich agricultural traditions. The past typhoons, Rosita in 2018 and Egay in 2023 have caused erosion that detracted from the terraces’ beauty, prompting rice field owners to seek financial support for restoration efforts. The Bontoc LGU responded by submitting a proposal to the NCCA for funding.
Historically, the rice terraces have been a cornerstone of sustenance for local families and clans, fostering a deep connection to the land. The traditional Farshang heirloom rice, cultivated annually in these terraces, remains a vital crop that sustains the community. In addition to rice farming, families have diversified their livelihood by raising livestock and seeking employment in government and private sectors.
In recent years, the Maligcong Rice Terraces have gained popularity as a tourist destination, attracting both domestic and international visitors. This shift has led other villagers to engage in the tourism industry taking on roles as tour guides and establishing businesses to cater to tourists.
According to Farnican, this transition not only provides additional income but also allows the community to share their rich cultural heritage and agricultural practices with visitors, creating a sustainable model that supports both traditional livelihoods and modern economic opportunities while ensuring that the rice terraces continue to thrive as both a cultural landmark and a source of food sustenance.**Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay, Bontoc LGU
