By Ana Louise M. Naguit and Patricia Marie A. Rivera - January 20, 2019

Aeta leaders of Sitio Pidpid narrates their barricading against quarrying companies that happened last year. Photo by Patricia Marie A. Rivera/The Kuliat Post

PORAC, Pampanga — Almost a year after the Aetas of Sitio Pidpid in Porac, Pampanga successfully halted private companies from their quarrying operations in their ancestral lands, progressive groups, under the leadership of HAU Speak Now, with Anakbayan and League of Filipino Students, visited the area for a give-a-gift program for the indigenous people.

Members of student publications and school-based organizations as well as volunteers from various schools in Central Luzon and Manila participated in the program that took place on January 14, 2019. Clothes, toys, and household items were given to the Aetas.

Parlor games were held for the Aeta children. Photo by Patricia Marie A. Rivera/The Kuliat Post

Coupled with helping with the IPs of Sitio Pidpid was the objective of the organizing parties to make the volunteers the present state of the lands in the mountains through interviews with the Aetas and discussions that circulated around the issues of the country that concerns our ancestral lands.

In addition to what the common people know, "land-grabbing" isn't only carried out by the expulsion of the indigenous people from their lands, but also by way of quarrying. Quarrying is the acquisition of minerals used in buildings and structures by digging the land. Sitio Pidpid is rich in black sand, a type of mineral that is essential to strengthening the foundation of the land, which is the purpose of the companies conducting quarrying in the area. The extraction of such minerals is the reason why massive landslides in the mountains and flooding in cities such as Angeles may occur more frequently.

Volunteers mingle with the Aetas while looking at Angeles City, which can be seen from up the mountain. Photo by Patricia Marie A. Rivera/The Kuliat Post

January 31st marks one year after the Aetas took a stand against the quarrying companies by forming a movement that guarded and fought for their land. They erected fences using wood to prevent the entry of trucks and equipment used for quarrying.

But damage has already been done, and now, the Aeta people face another challenge: the lack of water. It is difficult for them to get clean water because the water cannot go up to their wells. Because of this, they have to go down the mountain to get water from the springs they dug from the ground and use it for washing, bathing, as well as drinking.

Aeta women washing their clothes at their source of clean water. Photo by Patricia Marie A. Rivera/The Kuliat Post

Mang Jerry talks about their long-time water crisis. Photo by Patricia Marie A. Rivera/The Kuliat Post

According to Mang Jerry, a native, numerous organizations and politicians have already committed to assist in solving their water crisis. According to him, three administrations have passed since they were promised help, but they have still received nothing from the government.

It is for this reason that progressive groups invite the youth to stand up with the Aeta in their fight for their ancestral lands. Beyond material things, they need people who will serve as their voices to big companies and the government who won't listen to them. This should not only be a fight of the IPs, but of the entire Filipino nation, because it is Philippine land that is being abused by quarrying corporations.

Anakbayan leader Lester May Castillo explains the land-grabbing situation in Sitio Pidpid. Photo by Patricia Marie A. Rivera/The Kuliat Post

It was mentioned during the discussion that there are plans of building an Aeta support group in Pampanga where those who wish to help the Aetas can join. For now, those who want to help may go to HAU Speak now, an independent organization at Holy Angel University that launches community service programs.