Aeta communities displaced by the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo will soon gain ownership of their land in Pampanga’s Katutubo Village, a development President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomed on Friday.
Speaking in Porac, Pampanga, President Marcos expressed his joy following former President and Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s announcement that the titles for the relocation site in Katutubo Village will finally be distributed to its residents.
“Hindi po maliit na bagay ‘yung kaka-announce lang ni Congresswoman GMA na ‘yung titulo ng lupa ay mabibigay na para hindi na po kayo nag-aalala,” Marcos said.
The President made the statement during a visit for the distribution of livelihood assistance to Aeta families, where he was joined by Macapagal-Arroyo and other government officials. During the event, Aeta farmers received carabaos and farm implements to help strengthen their livelihoods.
Marcos also lauded the indigenous communities’ role in bolstering the country’s food security.
“Napakahalaga nito dahil pagka kayo’y nagsasaka, hindi po kayo nagpapakain lamang ng sarili ninyo at ng pamilya ninyo. Iyong sinasaka ninyo at inaani ninyo ay kasama po ‘yan sa pagpapakain ng lahat ng mga Pilipino,” he said.
He assured the Aeta communities of continued government support to uplift their living conditions and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities.
A total of 127 beneficiaries received carabaos and farm tools, while nearly 1,200 individuals from Barangays Planas and Camias each received ₱10,000 in cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
