By Brian Campued
In celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples Month this October, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the turnover of various forms of assistance to Aeta communities in Pampanga.
During a program at Katutubo Village in Barangay Planas in Porac on Friday, the President vowed long-term support for the livelihood of Aetas who were reintegrated through the Pag-abot Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Around 60 carabaos, 30 carabao-drawn carts, and other farm implements were distributed to 127 Aetas, while P10,000 in cash assistance were also given to a total of 1,197 beneficiaries.
“Ito po ay bahagi lamang ng aming mas mahabaang programa. Hindi po ito lamang. Patuloy po kung ano ‘yung pangangailangan po na makakapagpaganda, magdadala nang kaunting ginhawa sa buhay ninyo, magpapaganda sa buhay ninyo,” Marcos said.
“Iyan po ang aming pangarap na maabot ninyo ‘yung ganoong klaseng ginhawa sa inyong buhay. At nandito po ang pamahalaan. Asahan po ninyo na lagi po kaming nandito na tumutulong sa inyo,” he added.
The DSWD Pag-abot Program, launched in July 2023, reaches out to families and individuals in street situations to help them go back to their places of origin and start a living. This is in line with the Marcos Jr. administration’s push to sustain support to vulnerable and disadvantaged persons.
The President also visited the Katutubo Village Elementary School to oversee the distribution of “Brigada Backpacks” to students and the turnover of two satellite-connected Starlink units to provide internet access in the school.
Meanwhile, to address the health concerns of children, Marcos also ordered the Department of Health (DOH) to conduct a medical mission, particularly for those who have cleft lip and palate.
In a Facebook post, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the DOH will conduct an assessment on Monday in preparation for the said medical and surgical mission.
-jpv
