BANAUE, Ifugao, Philippines — Thousands of local agriculture industry stakeholders are now employing an agricultural sharing and self-help scheme in order to save the scenic but rapidly deteriorating Banawe Rice Terraces, a 2,000 – year-old fixture in this world heritage town.

Through “chawwa,” a cultural sharing scheme among farmers who equally divide the work and harvest, locals find a solution. Considering the extent of damage sustained by the rice terraces – 30-50 percent over the years – due to natural and man-made activities, six barangays in the town are now implementing the agricultural sharing system to rebuild the rice terraces as a source of income and cultural identity for the Ifugaos. (Dexter See)

Special holiday set in Tuguegarao

TUGUEGARAO CITY — President Benigno S. Aquino III declared Aug. 16, 2011 as a special non-working holiday in this city for the celebration of the “Pavvurulun Festival 2011.”

Mayor Delfin Ting expressed gratitude to the President for issuing Proclamation Number 214, formally declaring the holiday in Tuguegarao City, which was released through Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.

In it, Aquino stated that “it is but fitting and proper that the people of the city be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.” (Freddie G. Lazaro)

Minalin church is cultural treasure

The Sta. Monica Church in Minalin, Pampanga, believed to have been built in 1614, will be officially declared a National Cultural Treasure (NCT) by the National Museum during rites set on August 27. The 400-year-old structure features a 1619 mural of the map of Minalin by Francisco Malang Balagtas, as well as an old painting of Our Lady of Consolation with Saints Monica and Augustine.

Commission on Cultural Heritage, Restoration and Conservation Chairman Owen Francis Canlas said old photographs of events that took place within the church premises over the years will be put on display at the parish museum. (Christina I. Hermoso)

Port to complement Manila proposed

ORION, Bataan — Mayor Jose “Pepe” Santos said Friday that he has formally asked President Aquino to develop a port in this town as an alternative to Manila harbor.

Santos said his proposal is in sync with Aquino’s call to decongest Metro Manila in terms of its ballooning population and volume of land vehicles — trucks that frequent the Port of Manila.

“President Aquino should consider our coastal town as an alternative to Metro Manila’s ports and we can be a part of the solution to decongest Metro Manila,” he said. (Mar T. Supnad)

DPWH to solve Pampanga flooding

LUBAO, Pampanga — The Department of Public Works and Highway Secretary (DPWH) promised Governor Lilia G. Pineda the other day to address the problem of perennial flooding in this province.

During a meeting with Pineda on flood control in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Lubao town last Thursday, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson instructed the DPWH Region 3 to submit immediately a report on problems concerning the rehabilitation of all infrastructures in the province.

Singson told Pineda that he agreed that flooding in Pampanga should be one of the priorities of the government. (Franco G. Regala)