The provincial government of Pampanga headed by Governor Lilia G. Pineda is set to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Tribung Ayta of Floridablanca and the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to start the implementation of a project designed to ensure the livelihood and skills development of Aetas in the said town.
In line with the proposed MOA, the Tribung Ayta, an organization of indigenous peoples from Nabuklod, Camatchile and Mawacat in Floridablanca, stands to benefit from the livelihood and skills development project which will be jointly implemented by the three concerned parties.
The MOA stipulates that the provincial government will spearhead the planting of fruit-bearing trees, banana plants and vegetables, including other crops within the 1,000 hectares ancestral domain in the three barangays of Floridablanca – 300 hectares in Nabuklod, 400 in Camatchile and 300 in Mawacat.
The provincial government will also ensure the construction and rehabilitation of roads, buildings, water sources and other necessary infrastructure to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
Proper measures will also be instituted by the province to develop and improve the total area covered in the project including the provision of needed medical and financial assistance to the Aetas.
In addition, it will also conduct regular monitoring and inspection of the project including the selection of workers, priority of which will be given to the concerned Aetas.
The soon-to-be implemented livelihood and skills development project is also in line with the desire of Governor Pineda to fully develop the Aeta community and provide them with necessary intervention measures which will improve their social, economic and health status.
The province will also handle the marketing and selling of the agricultural produce and will give the corresponding share of the Tribung Ayta ng Floridablanca as formulated by the project’s technical working group (TWG).
The Tribung Ayta is represented by Aeta tribal leaders Roger Apang and Roy Bacani of barangay Nabuclod; Rodolfo Santos and Bonifacio Santos of Camatchile; and Federico Mendoza and Jerry Liwanag of Mawacat.
Close coordination and networking between and among the three contracting parties will be done to ensure the maximum project benefits and protection to the intended beneficiaries.
The MOA also provides for the creation of a TWG not later that 30 days after its signing.
The TWG shall be composed of three representatives each from the provincial government, Aeta group and the NCIP and shall be tasked to formulate the project’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
Aside from the benefits, financial requirements, services and assistance aspects of the project, the TWG shall also cover other pertinent mechanics and specific technical details and description of the project. (Pampanga PIO)
