Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met Thursday with planning and architecture firm Palafox Associates and its architectural design arm Palafox Architecture Group at Malaca±an Palace in Manila to discuss the development plan for Ifugao Rice Terraces. In a Facebook post, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) shared several photos of the meeting at Malaca±ang attended by Palafox representatives led by architect and urban planner Felino Palafox Jr.
According to Philippines News Agency, the proposed Comprehensive Urban, Environmental, Infrastructure and Economic Development Master Plan for the Ifugao Rice Terraces and surrounding communities was discussed during the meeting. Under the proposal, heritage conservation, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, environmental protection, and climate resilience will be integrated to preserve the Ifugao Rice Terraces' more than 2,000-year-old heritage. The master plan is expected to create more opportunities and sustainable livelihoods for the communities that serve as its stewards.
The PCO emphasized that the proposal focuses on preserving Ifugao culture and promoting tourism as part of a broader sustainable development plan for the area. It includes the conservation of the rice terraces and traditional knowledge and farming practices, strengthening the livelihoods of farmers and indigenous communities, and promoting community-led tourism to ensure that local communities benefit from tourism. The rice terraces are located in the remote areas of the Cordillera mountain range on the northern island of Luzon.
While the historic terraces cover an extensive area, the property consists of five clusters, including the Nagacadan terrace, Hunduan terrace, central Mayoyao terrace, Bangaan terrace, and Batad terrace. The Ifugao Rice Terraces, built 2,000 years ago, were declared national treasures through Presidential Decrees 260 and 1505 issued in 1973 and 1978, respectively. The terraces are likewise protected by virtue of Republic Act 10066 enacted in 2010, which provides for the protection and conservation of the National Cultural Heritage.
Palafox Associates, cited in the World's Top 500 Architectural Firms of World Architecture Magazine, has completed over 1,900 projects in 40 countries. Founded in 1989, the firm has contributed to major developments in the Philippines and abroad, including master plans, urban design, and architectural works.
