SAN JOSE, Antique – The indigenous peoples (IPs) in this province have lauded the creation of Antique Indigenous People’s Development and Advisory Council (AIPDAC) through the governor’s issuance of an Executive Order (EO).
Delia Pauden, head of the Pantad Ati Tribe Association in the municipality of Tobias Fornier, said in an interview that they are glad that EO No. 16, series of 2020 was already signed by Gov. Rhodora Cadiao on Feb. 24.
“The creation of the AIPDAC is going to be a big help for us because there will already be a council that would take care of our needs,” she said.
According to her, the IPs, especially the Atis, are suffering because they do not have enough sources of livelihood.
“Before, we survived through making charcoal but now it is already being prohibited,” Pauden said.
Because of the prohibition imposed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on cutting of trees and making charcoal, the IPs have to look for other ways of income.
“We need to have livelihood in order that we could also sustain the needs of our children,” she added.
For her part, Gov. Cadiao said that with the creation of AIPDAC, the provincial government could make the IPs feel that they are also being taken care of.
“The IPs should not feel that they are just second-class citizens here in the province for the provincial government is there to assist them,” Cadiao said.
As chair of AIPDAC, she is setting a meeting with her vice chair Pio Sumande and the other council members next week in order to discuss possible livelihood projects for the IPs.
“There is a PHP5-million budget allotted for the livelihood of the IPs” for this year, she said, adding that the amount is still unutilized.
There are about 40,000 IPs living in this province, majority of whom are Atis.(With a report from PNA/PN)
may we have a copy of the said EO as our reference to draft an ordinance in our province…South Cotabato