CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – “Celebrate equity, celebrate freedom and celebrate unity.”
This was the message in the recently held 1st General Assembly of Aytas Pampanga held at the Bren Z. Guiao Conventention Center (BZGCC).
In behalf of the Ayta communities in Floridablanca and Porac town and Mabalacat City, the Indigenous People Mandatory Representatives (IPMR) thanked the provincial government headed by Governor Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda and Vice Governor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda for fully supporting their needs.
PSWDO HEAD ELIZABETH BAYBAYAN DISTRIBUTES EDUCATIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO AYTA SCHOLARS OF THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT. (Jun Jaso)
EDUCATIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR AYTA COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH PSWDO HEAD ELIZABETH BAYBAYAN AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM NATIONAL AGENCIES (Jun Jaso)
“Si Nanay [Governor Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda] lamang at si Vice Governor Delta Pineda ang tumayo sa aming likuran para ipaglaban ang aming mga karapatan,” Roy Bacani, IPMR-Floridablanca said.
First District Board Member Benny Jocson, chairperson of the Committee on Human Settlement and Cultural Minorities, for his part said: “Sa liderato po ng ating Nanay ng probinsya, naiaakyat na po ngayon sa mga kabundukan ang mga tulong na hatid ng pamahalaang panlalawigan.”
Through the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO) headed by Elizabeth Baybayan, the Aytas’ primary needs were utilized and prioritized, in line with the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA).
“Ang gusto po namin, sa pangunguna po ng ating Nanay Gobernadora at ni Vice Governor Delta, wala na pong kulot (Ayta) ang hindi makakapag-aral at makakapag-trabaho,” 1st District Board Member Cherry Manalo mentioned.
Moreover, Mark Diwas, National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) representative, stressed the importance of their rights, especially over their ancestral domain.
Ruvielane Margarito, IPMR-Mabalacat, encouraged the some 2,800 Ayta attendees to do their best in protecting their ancestral domain.
“Gawin po natin ang lahat para maprotektahan po natin ang atin, dahil ito ay pamana pa ng ating mga ninuno,” she furthered.
“Hindi tayo pinabayaan at papabayaan ng Kapitolyo, patuloy silang nakasuporta upang ipaglaban ang ating mga karapatan at pag-aari,” Edwin Abuque, IPMR-Porac also said.
Meanwhile, ABC President Renato ‘Gabby’ Mutuc led the oathtaking of the officials from Samahan ng Tribong Ayta (STA) in Mabalacat City, Porac Ayta Ancestral Domain (PAAD) and Floridablanca Ayta Ancestral Domain (FAAD).
AID TO AYTAS
Manalo stressed the importance of their education.
The provincial government awarded some Ayta college students educational financial assistance, amounting to P175,000.
“Walang maiiwanan na kulot (Ayta). Sabay-sabay tayong magkaisa para sa ikasusulong ng ating probinsya,” Manalo said. Each of the students received P5,000.
“Mangarap kayo, mag-aral kayong mabuti para sa ikakaunlad ninyo nang sa gayon mas makatulong kayo sa inyong mga komunidad,” Baybayan, PSWDO head, cited.
The Ayta families also received cash assistance for transportation amounting to P1.4 million, and food assistance in preparation for typhoon Rosita, composed of rice, canned goods and condiments.
Also present in the celebration are Provincial police director Nicolas Supan Salvador; Floridablanca, Mabalacat and Porac Chiefs of Police, Supt. Ruel Cagape, Supt. Maharlika Villasis and Supt. Cris Tiguelo, respectively; Atty. Gerald Aquino III, representatives from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Education (DepEd), and among others. –Leah Isidro De Fiesta