San Fernando, Pampanga—Members of Indigenous People groups numbering about 1,122 received financial and food packages totaling P2.8 million during a summit held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center here.
Elizabeth G. Baybayan, Provincial Social Welfare Development officer, said among those who received assistance were high school and college students, leaders, elders, and others who are part of the IP population of the province, mostly Aetas.
Baybayan said 19 college students received P10,000 each, while 920 high school students received P2,500 each, 36 tribal leaders got P5,000 each, and elders gained P1,000 each.
The beneficiaries come from the municipalities of Porac and Floridablanca and the city of Mabalacat, Baybayan said.
The social welfare officer said it is a continuing policy of the provincial government under Gov. Dennis Pineda to lift the living conditions of Aetas through education.
Attended by members of different government agencies, the police, and the military, the summit aims to educate Aetas on their rights and the justice system of country outside their own customs and traditions.