In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to exert all efforts to bring government programs and services to marginalized sectors, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Pampanga, launched on Friday (July 11) an agroforestry and livelihood program for the members of an Aeta community in Barangay Nabuclod in Floridablanca, Pampanga.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian graced the launching and along with Pampanga local officials led by Governor Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda, they distributed farming tools, fruit and vegetable seedlings, and fertilizers to the indigenous peoples (IP) group.
DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, who attended the launching activity, said the initiative will help promote sustainable agriculture and disaster resilience in upland IP communities.
“Community participation is a crucial component in building disaster resilience and mitigating the risk of hazards in vulnerable areas. Through this program, we intend to establish agroforestry zones to provide support through the cash-for-training and work (CFTW), and food-for-work (FFW) program to the Aeta households by inviting them to participate in tree planting, upland gardening, and backyard poultry-raising activities,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
And while receiving temporary income support from the DSWD, Asst. Secretary Dumlao said beneficiaries are also equipped with essential knowledge and skills to help them sustain the agroforestry zones independently.
The DSWD extended more than 1,000 boxes of family food packs (FFPs) to the Aeta beneficiaries, according to the Asst. Secretary Dumlao.
Secretary Gatchalian, together with Governor Pineda’s team and other DSWD officials, also conducted an ocular visit to the Aetas’ ancestral land, which is the target site for the establishment of the Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished) for the IP community.
Floridablanca Mayor Michael Lugtu Galang, Arayat Mayor Jeffrey Luriz, Undersecretary Diana Rose Cajipe of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) also attended the activity. (AKDL)