Aeta leader Carlito Soria raises some concerns of their tribal community during a dialogue Monday with presidential candidate and Vice President Robredo in Nueva Ecija. (Contributed photo)
CABANATUAN CITY––Presidential candidate and Vice President Leni Robredo vowed to preserve the culture and push for the interest of tribal communities during a multi-sectoral meeting Monday, April 25, at the Phinma Araullo University gymnasium in this city.
This, after Carlito Soria, tribal consul of Aetas from Sitio (sub-village) Bacao, Barangay Doña Josefa, Palayan City, appealed for help to conserve their culture.
Soria, whose group from Pampanga resettled in Palayan City due to the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, lamented that some of their people died without getting hospital care.
“Ma’am, sana ang aming tribong Aeta na katutubo sa Pilipinas, huwag naman po sana kaming maliitin. Sana po buhayin ang aming kultura,” said Soria, who came in tribal suit.
[Ma’am, I hope you don’t belittle the Aeta tribal culture in the Philippines. I hope our culture would be revived.]
He also sought help to secure their relocation site from the Army reservation and have easy access to medical and healthcare services.
“Pag namamatayan po kami, hindi na po namin naiaabot sa ospital. Namamatay na lang po sa daan ang aming pasyente,” the tribal leader said.
(When we have dying patients, we can not bring them to the hospital. Our patients die on the way.]
He said they usually use a carabao-pulled cart called “Carabao FX” in transporting patients to a hospital.
In response, Robredo vowed to preserve tribal culture.
“Kaya ako po, ‘yung sa akin pong pangako sa inyo, hindi lang yung aasikasuhin natin yung ating kultura pero sisiguraduhin ko na mararamdaman ninyo na mahalaga kayo,” Robredo said.
(That is why, I promise to attend not just to your culture, but I will ensure that you will feel important for us.]
“Sa totoo lang, habang nagsasalita ka, medyo nadudurog ‘yung puso ko. Kasi ramdam ko. Ramdam ko ‘yung hinanakit na parang hindi kayo napapahalagahan. Hindi inaasikaso ‘yung pinaka-basic ninyong pangangailangan,” the vice president added.
[In truth, while you were speaking, my heart was somewhat crushed because I feel your pain that you are not given importance, that your most basic needs are not attended to.]
She promised to work for the tribes’ security of tenure in their resettlement site and provide necessary infrastructure and services for their healthcare needs.
The Nueva Ecija volunteers from the Robredo People’s Council organized the district assembly as a venue for Robredo and various sectors to discuss concerns closely, according to Dindo Berino, a convenor.
Three-term Nueva Ecija 1st District. Rep. Estrellita Suansing also led a similar activity in her district, where she also raised Robredo’s hands.
Suansing’s daughter, Mika, who is running for a congressional seat, was present during the event.
Robredo and running mate Sen. Francis “Kiko: Pangilinan later met with their supporters in Cabiao and San Isidro towns before proceeding to the evening rally at Gapan City Plaza.