Survey on the Indigenous Knowledge Holders as Partners in the Conservation of the Ifugao Rice Terraces World Heritage Site in Hungduan, Ifugao, Philippines

The study sought to identify the indigenous knowledge practices relevant to the dynamic conservation and adaptive management of the Ifugao Rice Terraces, and to identify the indigenous knowledge (IK) holders as custodians and partners in the conservation of the Ifugao Rice Terraces World Heritage Site (IRTWHS) in Hungduan, Ifugao. The study utilized survey questionnaire to gather data. Frequency and percent distribution were used to categorize and summarize the data. A total of 439 respondents were interviewed through chain referral technique to trace and track down the IK holders. Results show that most IKs are male-dominated. This means that majority, if not all, of the IKs are being done and led by men. Only in weaving that women are generally involved, These findings can be indicative of the distinctive and respective labor roles of men and women in the community. Likewise, findings manifest that majority of the IK holders belong to the age group of 61 years old and above. This signifies that most of the remaining indigenous knowledge holders are aged, which bolsters the findings of previous studies that IK is susceptible to being endangered as its holders or custodians are mostly elderly. Thus, IK transfer and transmission to the young generation is eminent, IK systematic documentation is compelling.