Manila: In an effort to prevent Aeta communities from resorting to begging in urban areas during the Christmas season, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian have distributed crucial farming resources to 127 Aeta families in Porac, Pampanga. The assistance package includes 60 carabaos, 30 garetas (carabao-drawn carts), and various farm implements aimed at supporting their agricultural activities.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a visit to the Aeta community in Katutubo Village, Barangay Planas in Porac town, Marcos and Gatchalian also distributed PHP10,000 cash assistance to each family to further support their daily needs. This initiative is part of the Pag-abot Program, designed to reintegrate Aeta families who were previously found begging on the streets of San Fernando City, Pampanga, back into their respective sitios in Porac.
Addressing the Aeta beneficiaries, President Marcos emphasized the vital role of the Aeta community in the agricultural sector, highlighting their contribution to national food security. He reassured them of continued support to enhance their livelihoods and contribute to national progress.
Aeta beneficiary Rambo Ma±alac Serrano expressed gratitude for the assistance, stating that he plans to use the carabao provided for tilling land to cultivate root crops like cassava. He thanked the DSWD and President Marcos for their support, which he hopes will bring stability to his family's livelihood.
The Pag-abot Program aims to provide both short-term and long-term solutions for families and individuals in street situations, helping them transition to more stable and dignified lives. The Aeta community, often seen in urban centers begging during the holiday season, is a primary focus of this initiative.
Secretary Gatchalian explained that the DSWD is actively reaching out to communities that migrate to Metro Manila during the holidays. The department's efforts include providing carabaos and farming tools to Aeta communities in Pampanga and Tarlac, encouraging them to remain in their localities and pursue agriculture-based livelihoods.
Similar programs are being implemented for Badjao communities in Zamboanga, with intensified efforts planned ahead of December to counteract syndicate operations prevalent during the holiday season. Gatchalian stressed the importance of preventive and proactive measures to support these communities before the peak begging season begins.
