AETAS: TRIBE AWAY FROM HOME
Amidst economic growth in the urban and even rural areas of Albay, families of Aetas are battling every single day to provide at least one meal on the table for everyone in their small community. These indigenous people were brought in the land of Sto. Domingo from their homes in Iloilo city.
For five years this municipality had been their second home despite the absence of a concrete physical place of dwelling. They don’t have a proper house to settle in. They are living along the bridge, no land of their own to cultivate their own food or to even continue their tradition. What they are most worried about now is how to survive daily living.
Livelihood to survive
According to the IP representative, their prime source of income is through selling ethnic designed bracelets and bags which they hand made from scratch materials. The Aetas would sell these to Tiwi, Tabaco and other places at a very low price. Bags would sell at 35 pesos each and bracelets are even lower in value. They added that with those products they are able to survive; and selling those products were also the reason why they moved far from their own land.
If people will think about it, the government must be able to provide land to these indigenous people. But due to scarcity of their selling market among their group, they had to move; and no land aside from their original homes is backed up by the law.
The Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA), it was promulgated in the year 1997 which gives the Tribes rights to preserve and cultivate their own land and make use of it as their source of living.
Problems encountered
When asked whether they have problems encountered related to the natural calamities that may affect their residence and their houses, the wife of William Barron answered without second thoughts that they aren't problematic in terms of natural calamities. What they are concerned about is how they will be able to eat their meals knowing that they have little source to expect money from.
It is inevitable to prevent their houses from getting destroyed by typhoons but what's good about living along the bridge of Sto. Domingo is that they have easier access to water and can immediately go to hospitals or clinics in time of need especially during the presence of calamities.
According to Barron, going to public hospitals is very accessible in times of emergencies because some of them were also given PhilHealth grants, one of which is her common law wife. He added that, the government is still helpful to them in a lot of ways.
The municipality of Sto. Domingo has already provided a relocation site for the Aetas. They can now move to these new houses allotted to them but they are a bit hesitant since there they have to pay for electricity and water. And it is not easy for them. Even if they badly want to have a house of their own, certain issues must be taken care of. They have to prioritize food over convenience that the government is providing for them.
Fellow Albayanos are also generous to this tribe since they are relieved with clothes and other toys that the adults and kids may use. They still believe that they are lucky because many people particularly students from different schools remember to give them aid and provide happiness to their children through outreach programs and games conducted at their place.
The 4Ps or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the government was also helpful to them though, according to some of them, there were inconsistencies in the amount being given monthly. Sometimes, they would receive less money than they expected and is very insufficient to their whole family's needs. The chieftain has six children and his wife is currently pregnant. Nevertheless, they are contented with what they have and maximize it to support the needs of the whole family.
Entertainment
Since they have no electricity and lack of technology such as television and radios, they rely on their neighbors for news. The neighbors play a big role in their lives because not only do they get their medium for entertainment and news from them, the Aetas also get clean water from them.
Furthermore, the kids are very jolly. Innocence can be seen from their eyes. They play just like other kids but more outgoing despite their current situation.
Many students from different schools would visit these kids and give them toys to play with. Amongst themselves, they share these goodies and for them it's enough to make them happy and live through the day.
No expectations
The family of William Barron expects little from the government. They are thankful for the generous help they receive but also learned not to be dependent on the little things that these Aetas get. If they will only wait for the present system to fully support them to survive, worst case is they'll end up with nothing. Their hands are open to their help but if there's none it's till fine to then. What matters to them is they are doing their best for themselves and their kids.
At the end of the day, survival and security of their family is what they must depend on and fight for.
