Cordillera Officials Seek Regional Body to Protect UNESCO Rice Terraces

Officials in the Cordillera region are moving to create a dedicated administrative body tasked with safeguarding the country's UNESCO World Heritage-listed rice terraces, which have become increasingly vulnerable to multiple pressures in recent years.

The Cordillera Regional Development Council is currently drafting a resolution that would formally propose the establishment of this regional governing structure to the national government. Technocrats argue that such an entity is essential to coordinate preservation efforts across the mountainous provinces where the terraces are located.

The push comes amid growing concerns that the ancient terraced landscapes face an uncertain future. Experts point to declining agricultural interest among younger generations, extreme weather events linked to climate change, and deteriorating irrigation systems as key threats to the sustainability of these centuries-old farming structures.

Proponents of the regional body believe a comprehensive master plan, coordinated through a centralized authority, would provide the framework needed to address these challenges systematically. Such a plan would encompass infrastructure rehabilitation, agricultural support programs, and heritage conservation strategies.

The draft resolution is expected to be submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos for consideration, marking a significant step in efforts to strengthen protections for one of Asia's most distinctive cultural and agricultural landscapes.