Treks to Pinatubo resume as Aetas lift blockade

MT. PINATUBO’S crater-lake is a big tourism attraction but Aetas have yet to use it to get them out of poverty. The tribe is now asserting its right over Pinatubo and demanding their just share from income from tourist ventures in the volcano. TONETTE OREJAS/INQUIRER Central Luzon

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Treks to Mt. Pinatubo through Capas, Tarlac, resumed on Tuesday as the Aetas of Botolan, Zambales, removed blockades and agreed to a dialogue on managing the environment of the volcano and benefiting from tourism activities there.

Capas Mayor Antonio Rodriguez said the Botolan Aetas reopened the trail as they received the “langgad” (peace offering) of the Capas government.

The langgad, Rodriguez said, consisted of five pigs and five cavans of rice.

Councilor Kennedy Molina, an Aeta, spoke on behalf of the indigenous group in Capas while Raul de la Cruz and Chito Balintay represented Nagsikap, the group in Botolan that initiated the protest, said Marissa Vidal, Capas tourism chief.

The protesters have barred tourists from going up to

Mt. Pinatubo’s crater-lake starting March 2.

They asserted control over the management and use of the volcano, saying it is their sacred site and within their ancestral domain.

“It is better that the Aetas of Capas and Botolan agree first on the terms they like, then negotiate with the Capas mayor,” said Carlito Domulot, chair of the Lubos na Alyansa ng mga Katutubong Ayta sa Sambales (Lakas).

Rodriguez said the Capas government has not committed anything yet to the three demands: allow Aetas to perform rituals at the summit, ban swimming at the crater-lake and get shares from fees paid by tourists.

He said he would order the verification of the exact boundaries of Capas and Botolan to settle the territorial issue.

Vidal said the local government asks tourists to pay P300 as conservation and maintenance fees. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon