Aeta farmers in Pampanga and Tarlac are reaping the benefits of government livelihood programs, receiving farm animals, equipment, and seedlings to support food security and provide extra income.

In Barangay Maruglo, Capas, Tarlac, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed 50 carabaos to Aeta beneficiaries as part of its PAG-ABOT program.

Farmers also received hand tractors, tiller cultivators, and knapsack sprayers. The program benefited 579 farmers, 521 of whom are indigenous people.

In Pampanga, Aeta farmers at the Floridablanca National Agricultural School harvested vegetables from a 10-hectare farm planted with sitaw, okra, eggplant, and patola.

The seeds were provided by the provincial government months earlier under its food sustainability and livelihood program. Other crops grown on the farm include rice, chili, peanuts, corn, cassava, and sweet potatoes.

Elizabeth Guiao, one of the Aeta farmers, said the program gave her something meaningful to do and an additional source of income.

“Wala po akong ginagawa sa bahay pagpasok po ng mga anak, pag tapos na po ang trabaho sa bahay, naiinip po sa bahay kaya sumali ako sa mga volunteers. Malaking tulong po kasi kahit may sarili klang tanim sa sarili mong lupa may extra income na din po,” she said.

To further support the community, the Pampanga provincial government buys part of the Aetas’ harvests for its feeding programs.