"EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD" THREATENED BY
"GIANT EARTHWORMS" AND COMMERCIALIZATION
Halt degradation of Banaue Rice Terraces - Villar

Worried over reports that unprecedented pestilence and heavy commercialization have pushed the degradation of the "eighth wonder of the world," the Banaue Rice Terraces, Senate President Manny Villar filed a resolution asking the Senate to look into the problem.

Haring Ibon, a publication of Haribon Foundation, recently reported that the famous tourist spot has been threatened by "giant earthworms" aside from other pests which are dissipating and destroying the terrace walls.

Thus, Villar introduced Senate Resolution No. 140 entitled, "Resolution urging the appropriate Senate committee to conduct a comprehensive report, in aid of legislation, anent the reported degradation of the Banaue Rice Terraces, a world heritage site, due to pestilence and rampant commercialization."

The Senate president and Nacionalista Party president said, "The Banaue Rice Terraces is a testament of our ancestors' craftsmanship, architectural and agricultural genius, and priceless Philippine heritage."

"The unprecedented pestilence and heavy commercialization of the terraces have resulted in the extinction of the traditionally present biodiversity and ecological equilibrium," Villar said in his resolution.

He also stated, "The propagation of the golden kuhol (snails) in the paddies of the Banaue Rice Terraces which was introduced by the DA to augment food supply of the residents in the area is also a major problem threatening the 'eighth wonder of the world.'"

"At present, no successful interventions to control biological pests have been introduced by relevant government agencies including the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources," he further said.

"A comprehensive study on Banaue Rice Terraces must be undertaken to prevent its fast deterioration," Villar stressed.