The thick fog, the verdant hills, the sea of clouds and the amazing view – thanks to a cup of 3-in-1 coffee, these things definitely catch my attention about an hour after being on the road from the city proper of San Carlos. Yep, I’m usually asleep during long road trips like these.
From the national highway, we turn left. We’re on the way to Barangays Quezon and Codcod. Before you ask, by the way, yes, the trip is work-related.
“Are those rice terraces?” I ask Manong Driver and my colleague, pointing to the left side of the window, where hills of rice paddies decorate the view.
One of my colleagues nods and tells me, “Marami dito niyan, Sir. Yun pa yung isa oh.” He proceeds to point to the right of the car.
All I can say is “Wow! Akala ko sa Mountain Province lang merong rice terraces!” I believe there are about five more rice terraces in Barangay Quezon waiting to be spotted as we move on.
“Sir, may ganyan din sa Salvador Benidicto at Canlaon,” Manong Driver adds eventually.
We then arrive in our main destination, Barangay Codcod. It’s the farthest barangay of San Carlos that I’ve visited. Yes, that’s where the more or less two-hour trip takes us. I was beginning to think that the rice terraces back in Quezon were the best consolation for the work I’d have to do today – but I was wrong!
Amazing mountains of rice paddies, much taller and more beautiful than those in Quezon, waited for me in this faraway barangay. These unknown rice terraces are a combination and result of the artistic labor and the dedication that locals of Codcod put into. With the cool weather, a stunning view of Mt. Kanlaon, the wonderful people all surrounded by amazing nature – you can definitely consider these rice terraces in Codcod a potential ecotourism site.
Codcod Rice Terraces is located in Barangay Codcod, an upland barangay of San Carlos City located close to the foot of Mount Kanlaon and about 50 kilometers or less than two-hour travel from the city proper.
HOW TO GET THERE
From San Carlos City, take a bus bound to Bacolod. Alight in crossing going to Barangay Quezon. From there, hire a habal-habal that will take you to Barangay Codcod after passing Barangay Quezon.
Alternately, you can also hire a habal-habal from San Carlos City proper to go directly to Barangay Codcod. Take note, however, that this is a more costly option.
According to the locals, there is also a passenger bus or a jeepney service that will take you through the San Carlos to Codcod route, but those trips are very limited.
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