Aeta tribe gets P14.8 M in rent for ancestral land

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines – Aeta tribesmen have received a total of P14.8 million from Freeport authorities as payment for the use of their ancestral land here.

The Subic Bay Management Authority (SBMA) gave a check  over the weekend to Conrado Frenilla, chieftain of the Pastolan Aytas, in the presence of other tribal elders, as well as representatives of the National Commission on Indigenous People led by its regional director Salong Sunggod.

The amount represents the share of the Ayta Ambala tribe of Barangay Pastolan in the rentals of business companies located within the Ayta ancestral domain from May 2009 to December 2013.

In a statement, the SBMA said the amount would improve the lives of Aetas living inside the freeport zone.

The Ayta Ambala tribe holds a certificate of ancestral domain title representing ownership of more than 4,280 hectares of land covering the Kalayaan and the Binictican housing areas in this freeport, as well as  tourism areas of Apaliin, Pamulaklakin and El Kabayo, among others.

Frenilla said they would use the fund to develop their community, improve the Pamulaklakin tourist facility, send deserving students to college, and enhance their way of life.

He said villagers who objected to the agreement have started returning to the village.

Sunggod said this is the first time an indigenous people’s group received a share in payment for the use of their land.