Subic Aetas to get share of land profits

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines - – The Aeta Ambala tribe in Subic will finally get its share from the proceeds of the 4,280 hectares of ancestral lands in Subic Bay Freeport.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Aeta’s Pastolan Tribal Council (PTC) signed last Monday the Joint Management Agreement (JMA), which entitles the Aetas, now living in Pastolan Village in Subic, five percent of the earnings of business establishments within their domain.

The Aeta lands cover the Kalayaan and Binictican housing areas and the Apaliin, Pamulaklakin and El Kabayo tourism areas in Subic. Though the Aeta tribe holds a certificate of ancestral domain title of the area, it has not benefited from the proceeds of investments there.

Also under the agreement, SBMA will provide each of the 300 Aeta families who are officially registered with the NCIP, a quarterly payment of P5,000 and another P200,000 during the Christmas season.

Under the JMA, the agencies represented by the signatories “shall respect the rights of the Aetas in their pursuit of economic, cultural and social development based on the IPRA (Indigenous Peoples Rights Act) and programs implemented by the government.”

The JMA also provides for the “systematic management and development of the ancestral lands as indicated in the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan, while ensuring the promotion of the Aetas human rights.”

SBMA administrator Armand Arreza, PTC chieftain Conrado Frenilla and NCIP chairperson Zenaida Brigida Hamada-Pawid signed the JMA.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia, Bataan Rep. Herminia Roman, Hermosa, Bataan Mayor Danny Malana and members of the Bethesda Spring of Hope Healing Ministry led by Maribi Garcia.