Friday, February 01, 2008 (5th of Six Parts) Historic Pact: A New Hope for Aetas By Ian Ocampo Flora
PEOPLE'S description of Aetas has been a cliché.
Small in height, curly haired and (extremely) dark complexioned, it's easy to distinguish these highland "ethno-linguistic" group from their lowland "straight haired" brothers, the "kulot" as opposed to the "unat" Living on the rugged and risky flanks of the Mt. Pinatubo, the Aetas have been in relative self-sustenance and uneasy independence.
The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, hailed as the most destructive, drastically altered the lives of these ethno-linguistic groups (Botolan, Ambala, Mag-Indi, Mag-Aantsi).
Though generally dislocated by the eruption, the Aetas of the west side (Zambales Area) have fared fairly well compared to their brothers on the east side (Tarlac and Pampanga) of the mountain.
Surprisingly, the Aetas of Zambales have enjoyed a fair share of development.
French researcher Jean-Christophe Gaillard of the Center for Kapampangan Studies describes the life of Aeta communities from San Marcelino and Botalan as "enjoying a level of development, including asphalted roads, irrigation networks, and school buildings," a striking contrast from their brothers in Tarlac and Pampanga.
The latter, even with the help of the government, have virtually made a terrible step backwards; their previous economy virtually "back to zero".
A good number of these tribes have also depended on the US servicemen in the then Clark Special Economic Zone.
Historic Agreement
Now answering the call to help these tribes is Clark Freeport through the forward thinking of its officials led by Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president and CEO Liberato Laus.
In August 24 last year, a General Assembly of 13 sitios covered by CADT 025 was held at Clark Expo Pilipino.
The upshot of the meeting was historic. For the first time, a joint management agreement materialized between the Aeta Tribes represented by Chairman Oscar Rivera and the CDC represented by Laus for the development of the ancestral land.
"This is an unprecedented event that will surely pave the way for the development of the Freeport and will eventually lead to the social and economical upliftment of Aeta communities in the joint management," Laus said, ecstatic of the new possibilities that will change the lives of the Aetas for the better.
By September 5, through stern lobbying, the CDC through National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Region III Director Salong Sunggod had endorsed to NCIP national office the signed Joint Management Agreement (JMA) and application for issuance of Compliance Certificate to the Free Prior, Inform Consent Process and the certification that the community has given its consent to the implementation of the JMA for the development of the ancestral domain covering an area of 10,684 hectares within Clark Special Economic Zone.
"This agreement will benefit both Aeta communities and the Freeport. A part of the lease I would go to the Aetas which they could use for their livelihood, education and their economic upliftment," Laus added.
With the proper ground work and consultation among the stakeholders, the JMA was sure to become a reality.
On December 6, 2007, through a letter, NCIP Chairperson Eugenio Insigne told Laus that the NCIP Commission En Banc had approved the JMA with necessary attachments.
Finally, the JMA between CDC, NCIP and the Aetas was signed last December 6, 2007, paving the way for the development of the ancestral domain area of the Aeta Tribes located within the area jurisdiction of the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ).
With the agreement in place the CDC can now manage the ancestral domain and enter into business arrangements with prospective locators of the area.
As envisioned, the Aeta tribes shall be given employment priority in any projects to be implemented within the CADT.
The state-owned company will also assist in providing communal infrastructure and developments to the community.
The 75-year term will see to the 20 percent share of the lease to Aetas (to be deposited by CDC to the Aeta Development Fund).
And, with the current investments in the freeport, there's no doubt that the Aeta communities would benefit hugely from the agreement.
"It's a historic turn-around for both the government and Aetas which had been locked in conflict over ownership of the area for the longest time," Laus said.
"The breakthrough will open unheard of gains, opportunities and prospects for the indigenous people," he said.
(Tomorrow: Re-branding of Clark into tourism, sports, techno-industrial, and aviation center of RP)
