PORAC, Pampanga- “They got me.”
This was the revelation of Philippines Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Board of Director Sandra Cam after seeing the condition of the affected Aeta communities in Porac town.
Cam personally visited Tuesday, April 30, the Aetas' evacuation area in Sitio Paranganan, Babo Pangulo in Porac town a day after PCSO donated P5-million shelter assistance through the Provincial Government.
The director expressed her affection toward the Aetas, who were greatly devastated by the 6.1-magnitude earthquake.
“After seeing their situation here, I felt sad. It’s a mixed emotion,” Cam said.
Meanwhile, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) head Elizabeth Baybayan told Cam that more than 110 families were devastated by the earthquake.
For her part, Cam pledged to donate goods like mats, tents, pillows, and blankets from her own pocket, enough to keep the Aetas warm and sheltered while waiting for the construction of the proposed PCSO Aeta Community Village.
The said village, according to Governor Lilia Pineda, will be established in a 6,000-hectare land, which was already bought by the Provincial Government in Sitio Paranganan, Babo Pangulo in Porac town.
In line with the construction of the proposed PCSO Village, barangay captain Juanito Dela Cruz also ventilated the concerns of the Aetas after the quake.
“Ayaw na po ng mga kapatid kong Aeta ang manirahan sa itaas (bundok). Takot na rin po silang manirahan sa mga bahay na gawa sa hollow blocks, dahil na rin po sa trauma na dinulot ng lindol,” Dela Cruz said.
In response, Baybayan told Cam that the proposed bunkhouses for the PCSO Aeta Community village will use bamboo and wood materials to ease the trauma of the Aetas.
Cam also promised to help and sponsor two Aetas who want to become police officers to protect their ancestral domain someday. (PR)