Capitol celebrates Ayta day

government headed by Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda and Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda for fully supporting their needs.

“Governor Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda and Vice-Governor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda stood for our rights,” Roy Bacani, IPMRFloridablanca said.

First District Board Member Benny Jocson, chairperson of the Committee on Human Settlement and Cultural Minorities, for his part said: “Under the leadership of the current administration, we were able to deliver services to the mountains courtesy of the provincial government.”

Through the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO) headed by Elizabeth Baybayan, the Aytas’ primary needs were utilized and prioritized, in line with the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA).

Moreover, Mark Diwas, National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) representative, stressed the importance of their rights, especially over their ancestral domain.

Ruvielane Margarito, IPMR-Mabalacat, encouraged the some 2,800 Ayta attendees to do their best in protecting their ancestral domain.

“Let’s do all we can to protect what is ours because we inherited these from our ancestors,” she furthered.

Meanwhile, ABC President Renato ‘Gabby’Mutuc led the oathtaking of the officials from Samahan ng Tribong Ayta (STA) in Mabalacat City, Porac Ayta Ancestral Domain (PAAD) and Floridablanca Ayta Ancestral Domain (FAAD).

— Leah Isidro De Fiesta/ Pampanga PIO