News Details

Marcos, DSWD Chief Provide Carabaos and Aid to 127 Aetas in Pampanga

NPO

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October 5, 2025

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian extended livelihood support to 127 Aetas in Porac, Pampanga on Friday, providing 60 carabaos, 30 garetas (carabao-drawn carts), and other farming tools to help sustain their communities and discourage them from going to urban centers to beg during the Christmas season.

During their visit to Katutubo Village in Barangay Planas, the President and the DSWD chief also distributed ₱10,000 in cash aid to each beneficiary under the Pag-abot Program, designed to assist families and individuals in street situations and reintegrate them into dignified and sustainable livelihoods.

Marcos emphasized the vital role of the Aeta community in agriculture and food security:

“Your harvests feed Filipinos. That is why it is very important to support your sector, especially as this is a growing community. We will provide all necessary support so you can have stable livelihoods and also contribute to the nation’s progress,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Rambo Mañalac Serrano, shared that he plans to use the carabao for tilling and planting cassava:

“Kung may kalabaw na po kami, pwede na po kaming magtanim ng mga kamoteng kahoy, para hindi na po kami naglalakad. Maraming salamat po sa DSWD at kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos,” Serrano said with gratitude.

According to Gatchalian, the program takes proactive steps to prevent indigenous groups such as the Aetas and Badjaos from traveling to Metro Manila and other urban centers during the holidays, where some syndicates exploit them for begging.

“That’s why we are providing carabaos and farming tools directly in their communities—to ensure they have their livelihood here and no longer need to go to the cities,” he explained.

The DSWD is also implementing similar measures in Zamboanga for the Badjao communities, with intensified interventions ahead of December.

The Pag-abot Program combines short-term and long-term assistance to help vulnerable groups transition from street dependence to sustained, community-based livelihoods.

NPO News Team | PNA-PR