In the indigenous communities of Porac in Pampanga, the sound of carabao hooves and the spark of new farm implements mark a brighter future for Aetas aiming to improve their quality of life through sustainable farming.
Under the Pag-abot program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, about 60 Aeta families from Barangay Planas received carabaos and essential farm implements such as carts and hoes.
The initiative, institutionalized through Executive Order No. 52 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aims to empower indigenous peoples and support sustainable agricultural practices to prevent them from returning to the streets to beg for alms.
For farmers like Cecille Garcia, a mother of nine, the gift of carabao and farm implements is a lifeline that eases the physical strain of farming.
“Nung wala pa po ‘yung kalabaw, mano-mano lang po naming binubuhat yung mga ani namin…pero ngayon, yung mga kalakal namin ay mabubuhat na ng kalabaw. Kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa Pangulo na binigyan niya kami ng tulong kasi po minsan, kapag umuulan, nahihirapan pkami sa pagbaba ng mga ani namin. Kaya malaking tulong po yung kalabaw dahil mapapadali na po ‘yung aming trabaho lalo na sa pagbubuhat,” she shared.
The 60 beneficiaries make up the initial batch of recipients, while 52 more will receive carabaos.
Aside from the distribution of farm implements, a total of 410 beneficiaries also received financial assistance worth P10,000 each.
For Lina Rubi, one of the beneficiaries, the financial assistance meant so much in augmenting her daily subsistence.
“Maraming maraming salamat po sa Pangulo, kasi malaking tulong ito. [Kaya] nagpapasalamat po kami sa inyo, magagamit po namin ito sa pagkain. At saka yung bunso ko, sa kanyang pag-aaral, may pang allowance na siya. Kaya maraming maraming salamat sa Pangulo,” she expressed.
President Marcos, who led the distribution, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting indigenous peoples and farmers.
“Ang talagang kailangan nating tulungan ay ang inyong hanapbuhay sa pagsasaka. Napakahalaga nito dahil kapag kayo ay nagsasaka, hindi lang ninyo pinapakain ang inyong mga sarili at mga pamilya. Yung sinasaka, tinatanim, at inaani ninyo ay kasama sa pagpapakain sa lahat ng Pilipino,” he said.
The Chief Executive also emphasized the enduring role of the carabao in Philippine agriculture.
“Marami na tayong naimbento na mga makinarya ngayon, ngunit kahit papaano hindi talaga mawawala ang kalabaw sa pagsasaka natin. Kaya’t nagbigay rin tayo ng mga farm implements para gumaan ang trabaho at mas madali ang paghahanapbuhay,” he added.
He likewise assured that the government will continuously support the vulnerable sectors and usher them towards progress.
“Ito ay bahagi lamang ng aming mahabaang programa. Pangarap namin na maabot ninyo ang ginhawa sa inyong buhay. Asahan ninyo, nandito po ang inyong pamahalaan na laging naghahanap ng paraan kung paano pa makatutulong sa inyo,” he assured.
The Pag-abot program, initially launched in Metro Manila to reach out to families and individuals in street situations, has now expanded in Central Luzon and CALABARZON by 2025, with plans to extend nationwide.
In Pampanga, its livelihood assistance component is giving Aeta communities not just the means to farm, but the opportunity to build a more secure and dignified future.
In the fertile lands of Porac, the partnership between people and carabao is being renewed. For the Aetas, each furrow plowed by these animals carries with it not just seeds of crops, but seeds of progress, one that is planted with dignity, and nurtured with the promise of a stronger tomorrow. (CLJD/MJSC, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)