SBMA cites Ayta contributions to Freeport development

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has lined up activities highlighting members of the Ayta tribes in this free port, as the agency joins in the celebration of Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month this year.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said that the activities aim to show the agency’s appreciation of the role that the Ayta communities inside the former US military base have played in the conservation and development of what is now the relatively unspoiled forested portion of the Subic Bay Freeport.

“Owing to the presence of indigenous peoples within the Subic Bay Freeport, and in appreciation of their stewardship of their ancestral land, it is only but right to accord them the gratitude and recognition that they deserve,” Garcia said.

He also expressed the SBMA's appreciation of the cooperation and support given by the indigenous Ayta tribes here to the economic development programs and projects of the agency within the Ayta’s ancestral domain.

October of every year was declared National Indigenous Peoples Month by virtue of Presidential Proclamation Order (PPO) 1906 signed by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on October 5, 2009.

The PPO is in pursuant of the earlier PPO No. 486, which Arroyo signed in 2003, and consistent with PPO No. 1124 issued by then President Fidel Ramos.

The order was created, “for the purpose of heightening nationwide peoples’ awareness and participation in celebration and preservation of indigenous peoples communities.”

In line with the IP Month celebration, Garcia has designated SBMA public relations manager Armie Belleza-Llamas to spearhead the preparation of a program to promote Subic Ayta culture.

This will commence with a flag-raising ceremony on October 8 in front of the SBMA main office on Waterfront Road, which shall be led by the members of the Pastolan Ayta community. Members of the Ayta Tribal Council of Sitio Pastolan in Hermosa, Bataan and the Council of Elders of Sitio Kanawan in Morong town will also be attending the ceremony.

In addition, a photo exhibit about Ayta culture and arts will be mounted at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall on October 26 to 31. Harbor Point will also be the venue of an Ayta cultural show to be highlighted by the “Ayta X-factor” singing contest on October 27.

Meanwhile, for the public to understand better the life and thoughts of the Aytas in the Subic Freeport, the SBMA radio station will conduct an interview with Pastolan tribal chieftain Conrado Frenilla and tribal elder Bonifacio Florentino.

The forum is expected to also touch on the benefits received by the Ayta tribes from the SBMA before and after the signing of the Joint Management Agreement by and among the SBMA, the Tribong Ambala Ayta ng Pastolan, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

The interview will be aired over radio station 89.5 Bay FM on October 15 and the Freeport cable TV station on October 26-31.

Llamas said the program is intended to heighten the awareness of the public on the presence of indigenous people in the Freeport, and to show how both parties have looked after each other through the years. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Members of the Pastolan Ayta indigenous tribe in the Subic Bay Freeport enact a tribal dance for the benefit of visitors.