By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
INDIGENOUS peoples (IP) are the most economically-deprived an d marginalized sector in Philippine society. They live in faraway or secluded places. Of course, they’re “far” from modernization.
Social media? Perhaps, an “outlandish” for them. Too, they’re prone to bullying.
But all these seem to be not applicable anymore to the Atas of Cadiz City in northern Negros Occidental. And because to see is to believe, I joined a team that went uphill just to see the Atas. Worth it, indeed!
Well, Atas tribe is the authentic IP community in Cadiz. The Atas live in Sitio Manara (on the top of the mountain) in Barangay Celestino Villacin. Not easy to penetrate, I swear (literally and figuratively)!
Manara, declared as Atas’ ancestral domain by the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), has a total land area of 1,382.6251 hectares. Currently, it is composed of 120 Ata families or more than 400 young and old individuals. There’s a complete elementary there, but no school buildings. Teachers (all males) hold classes under the trees, makeshift tents and little chapel.
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAM
In November last year, the Cadiz City government and Northern Negros Electric Cooperative (Noneco) fulfilled the long-elusive dream of the Atas – electricity. And such was through the Rural Electrification Program (REP) as mandated under Republic Act (RA) 6038.
“Lipay gid kami. Daku gid ang amon pasalamat kay Mayor Bading Escalante nga ginpatigayun n’ya gid ang madugay na namon gina-handum – ang kuryente!” said Rene Boy Francisco, 46, and head of the Cadiz Ata Indigenous People Farmers’ Association (CAIPFA).
“Hakson namon ining bugay. Wala ini sang tupong,” Garry de la Cruz, 60, Atas tribe chieftain, said in jubilation.
Hazel Acse, provincial head of the NCIP-Negros Occidental, also hailed the city government of Cadiz that, at last, it “powered” Manara.
In an interview, he said, such “goodness” of having electricity borne more opportunities for the Atas.
Up next, Acse bared, are the three major projects for the Atas – housing, water system and school building(s).
All these, he stressed, have had already been approved, adding, “NCIP isnow facilitating the immediate implementation.”
‘WIFI-SAVVY’
But just four months after electrifying Manara, the Atas’ tribe immediately has a paid wifi (wireless fidelity) connection via peso net. And believe it or not, such made the Atas “wifi-savvy” in just a month.
Francisco said the peso net really helped their kids in answering their school assignments
“May P5 ka lang, okay na! Sa kapin isa kag tunga sa oras nga access sa wifi, tanan nila nga assignment, masabat gid nila,” he said.
Too, they now know how to explore www (worldwide web), including famous social media platforms like Facebook and Tiktok.
Even chieftain De la Cruz said he has his Facebook account now (Garry De la Cruz), which is open/accessible to everyone.
Moreover, Francisco confessed, they also know how to use a “Bluetooth” device for them to listen to music via mini-stereo components they’d bought.
On the other hand, couple Jimboy and Artisa Gardose said they’re earning as much as P1,500 every 20 days just because of peso net.
“Indi kami magpati nga sa 20 lang ka adlaw, ang peso net nga hulog-hulog lang P5, maka-income P6,000. So, ang amon porsyento halin sa tag-iya, naga-lab-ot man P1,500,” Jimboy disclosed.
For Jimboy and Artisa, who are both farmers, P1,500 is a big help for their family. They’re now planning to buy either smart television or refrigerator.
NEWS, TELESERYES
Moreover, Francisco said they’re now aware of what’s happening in the country or around the world.
“Makalantaw naman kami news kada-gab-i paagi lang sa mga tablet sang amon mga anak nga hatag sang DepEd (Department of Education),” he said.
“We can also watch teleseryes like ‘Batang Quiapo’, among others,” he further said.
But amid these instant changes in their tribe, Francisco said they still can’t do away with farming and hunting for their daily food.
“That’s why we’re still asking for sustainable livelihood support from the government,” he said.
NCIP, via “Kabuhayan , Kaunlaran ng mga Kababayang Katutubo” (4Ks) already gave the Atas 20 carabaos, 23 pigs and scores of chickens for their livelihood.
But Francisco said they “badly need” irrigation for their crops, and concrete road to ease transport of their farm products.
Mayor Escalante said, “Amat-amat lang. We’ll get there!”
Republic Act No. 8371or the Indigenous People Right Act of 1997 states the recognition, protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous cultural communities anywhere in the country.
The very premise of the said edict guides Mayor Escalante to endeavor something good for the Atas./PN
