ILOILO CITY – “Ti ano kan-on ko, Neng? Wala man ako obra…”
This was what Tata Salveo, a 45-year-old Ati from Barangay Sto. Rosario, Buenavista, Guimaras, said as to why she, along with some other relatives, keeps roaming around this city asking for alms despite the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Panay News chanced upon Tata together with other Ati people and a few “rugby boys” taking shelter in an overpass along General Luna Street here.
“Hadlok man ko sa COVID, bal-an mo may bata ko,” Tata told Panay News.
However, Tata said hunger is a big concern, too, so are they braving the city streets begging for alms.
From Guimaras, Tata crossed the Iloilo Strait to find food here. The local government has given them food though barely enough, Tata said.
“Depende sa gobyerno kon ano patakaran nila. Wala man kami gaano. Kon may ihatag sila, salamat. Kon wala, salamat man gihapon, indi nga mang-away ka sa tawo. Bad ‘na ‘ya moh,” she told Panay News.
Tata said the city government’s task force has rounded them up several times in the past and sent them home.
Should there be another roundup, she said she would prefer being sent to Dumarao, Capiz where her children, whom she has not seen for quite some time, are currently residing.
“Mapuli ako ‘ya. Sure promise! Para makita ko man sila,” she said.
Asked of her appeal to the government, Tata said, “Kaluy–an kami, hatagan man kami bisan gamay-gamay lang. Bisan ano lang ila ihatag sa amon ah. Diri lang kami sa kalye kon may ihatag sa amon.”
Today is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. This is being observed each year to raise awareness and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population.
ATI COMMUNITY IN LANIT
Meanwhile, life goes on for the Ati community in Barangay Lanit, Jaro district despite the pandemic.
According to Pastor Rogelio Elosendo, tribal leader of the Ati community there, about 30 families consisting of 110 to 130 individuals are living in 24 houses erected on a 3,000-square meter lot.
Elosendo admitted it is hard to maintain a community where most of the Ati families have to go out in the streets to ask for alms. Only a few of them have decent jobs such as call center agents, security guards and construction workers.
He said they were thankful for the various donations – mostly food and groceries from individuals and organizations.
A missionary priest visited their community recently and donated 10 sacks of rice. He also provided a chicken-raising livelihood project.
Elosendo said they have a daily feeding activity for the whole community during lunchtime.
The barangay council also doesn’t forget to send them ayuda from the government like food packs and rice allocation.
How about vaccination?
Elosendo said so far only one resident, a call center agent, has been vaccinated against COVID-19.
They were previously informed about the vaccination for senior citizens but it so happened that their two elderly residents were not around.
He noted that if there is already a vaccination schedule for them, they are also ready.
Elosendo said they are thankful to the city government because they are given attention.
Early this year, the community got electricity. Elosendo said this was realized after he personally went to Mayor Jerry Treñas.
“Ang amon sitwasyon kag relasyon sa government tama ka close – kay mayor kon ano man amon problema gina-facilitate… Subong may kuryente na kami,” said Elosendo.
As tribal leader, Elosendo admitted that as far as the facility is concerned, he can manage, however, he finds it hard to control fellow Ati residents.
“Ati man ako pero daw indi ko ma-abot, maisip ang ila nga huna–huna. Indi mo mapaktan… waay na sila diri, didto na. Amo ‘na sobra seguro nga problema ko naapektuhan man ako,” Elosendo lamented.
He recently suffered from a mild stroke.
Nevertheless, Elosendo said, they also have well-disciplined residents.
A registered social worker, Elosendo wanted their orphanage building for Ati children be completed. It is currently under construction but there are funding constraints.
“Kontani ang orphanage building mahuman para sa mga ilo nga mga bata… matipon kag mabutang dira kag masagod. Ang bata nga mga ilo waay ginikanan, kon indi matatapan waay gid, kaluluoy gid sila,” Elosendo said he and his wife adopted one after the child’s mother died of complication after giving birth.
Once completed, Elosendo said, he will have the orphanage accredited or registered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
There’s also a need to hire staff and house parents, he added./PN
