IFUGAO Governor Jerry Dalipog has approved the use of abandoned rice terraces in the province for the cultivation of medical marijuana once the bill pushing for its legalization becomes law.
“I am okay with that. In some areas of the rice terraces, especially at the highly elevated areas, if there is a law passed legalizing medical marijuana. But not all areas,” he said.
According to Dalipog, there are areas of the terraces that have been abandoned, especially among the higher elevations of the province, which have not been restored or reclaimed due to a lack of funding and support.
Dalipog said that once medical marijuana is legalized, its cultivation in the region will feasibly provide income to the people of Ifugao.
“If it is a feasible source of income, we support it,” he added.
Dalipog however said that the province will not convert terraces currently in use, as the people of Ifugao would object to the use of areas being planted with indigenous organic rice for marijuana cultivation.
Dalipog said initiatives that will improve people’s lives and will not further reduce the production of indigenous rice in the province will be supported.
