BAMBAN, Tarlac – The Sangguniang Tribong Aeta (STA), an indigenous people coalition based in Pampanga and Tarlac, on March 15 opened their office-building at Sitio Martin, Barangay Sto. Nino, here.
STA President Oscar Dizon, STA Vice President Robert Serrano and tribal chieftains welcomed their guests during the simple ceremony at the former SDA Building. Their guests were National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Regional Chief for Administration and Finance Randy Bacani, Lycia Marzan of the Clark Development Corporation, Sonny Dobles of PATROL Partylist and Eric Gomez of Paradise Ranch.
Dizon thanked the CDC for helping them established their first-ever office for combined members of the STA from Bamban and Mabalacat City.
He reminded his members that those who will have problems with their lands can now approach anyone at the STA office instead of going to the CDC or NCIP.
Dizon said that the STA is recognized by the NCIP as a legitimate group.
In his speech, Bacani said the STA officers and members are “rich” for having for having some 10,600 hectares of land at the boundary of Bamban and Mabalacat City. He added that they should develop “friends” so that they could develop their sprawling lands.
For his part, Dobles said “the Aetas are too kind and they are the subject of abuse.”
“You must learn to fight for your rights,” he told the STA members in his inspirational message.