Dark curly hair, dark skin, and small stature. These words often describe the Aetas, a group of indigenous people in the Philippines. These ethnic tribal group was known to inhabit the areas of northern Luzon, specifically that of the area where Mount Pinatubo is located. But after its tumultuous eruption in 1991, the Aetas have resettled themselves in the urban areas of Luzon.

Surprisingly, a group of Aetas reside in the province of Oriental Mindoro, in the municipality of Bansud. In fact, they live in the same area with the Mangyans in Barangay Pag-asa. “Dito sa barangay namin, may Mangyan at may Aeta. Kung paminsan nga ay kinakausap kami ng mga Mangyan sa kanilang lenggwahe, na hindi namin maintindihan. Minsan binibiro din namin sila kapag nagsasalita kami sa aming dialect. Sa huli, Tagalog na lamang ang aming ginagamit para kami ay magkaintindihan lahat,” (Here in our barangay, there are Mangyans and Aetas. They would at times talk to us in their own dialect, to which we do not understand. We also kid around when we would talk to them in our own dialect. In the end, we use the Tagalog language so that we will understand each other) said Rudolfo dela Cruz, an Aeta and Pastor of the barangay.

While differences may lie in their ethnicities, both were able to live peacefully. There were no clashes whatsoever as both groups have only respect for each other.

Mangyans live far from the Aetas in the barangay. Thus, it is only the Aetas that live in the outskirts of the barangay. While they may live near the center of the municipality, they find it hard to travel since the path in the area is impassable. The road does not even have a concrete path for them to walk to. It even becomes impossible to walk when rain pours. Not only it becomes very muddy, the path they laid before becomes hidden in sight.

Mr. dela Cruz attests that it is difficult to go to Poblacion whenever emergencies arise. Emergencies therefore became a nightmare. Mr. dela Cruz recounted that there was an instance when there was a death and the dead was not buried immediately. But the people tending the burial took chances and had the casket be pulled by a carabao. However, because of the rain the past night, they did not get far since they got stuck in the mud. They had to wait for days before they could bury the body, which already reeked foul smell.

Furthermore, children get lost along the way because there is no definite road which leads back to the barangay. A thiry-minute walk may take up an hour just so they can find their way back. This has been the concern of many mothers in the barangay.

His wife pipes up saying, “Sa ganitong klase ng daan, kapag buntis ka ay manganganak ka na talaga sa daan. Hindi na aabot sa ospital,” (With a road like this, you would have already given birth before you even reach the hospital). She said that they just put humor to it, just so they could make light a heavy concern such as this.

From the part of the local government, they put gravel to have a concrete path in the barangay but this becomes easily washed out by heavy rains. The residents have already presented this to the barangay and are still waiting for actions to it. Though they are hoping, they knew that the barangay does not have funds to build a road.

Whether a road is present or not, life still goes on for the natives. Good thing they do not have to wait longer for a road, since Kalahi-CIDSS came in the municipality of Bansud. Kalahi-CIDSS is the government’s flagship poverty alleviation program implemented by the DSWD through the financial support of the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Its goal is to empower communities through greater participation of the people in local governance.

Of the 15 barangays of Bansud, Barangay Pag-asa was blessed to have been prioritized in this year’s project implementation. Meaning, they can now implement a sub-project that will address their need. The construction of an access road for the IPs will prove to be helpful in carrying out their day-to-day lives.

Mr. dela Cruz wasted no time to be part of the Kalahi-CIDSS project. In fact, he was voted as the Procurement Team head for the sub-project. From the process, he learned the process of canvassing and preparing the necessary documents. He was able to apply his learnings as a pastor to his current post as the Procurement Team head. From the one year experience they had with Kalahi-CIDSS, he witnessed petty fights between married couples. It was held that either of the two tend to spend more time attending assemblies of Kalahi-CIDSS, that they forget their responsibilities in the household. Mr. dela Cruz said that their support is needed since what their partner is doing is for the benefit of the whole barangay. By this, petty fights have stopped and more wives/ husbands of volunteers came in to join and participate in the project.

As of the time of writing, the barangay sub-project is 65% near completion. They were very excited to have it done so they can freely go their way to Poblacion without having to worry the road they need to pass. Any emergency will be attended to, with time to spare. Children would not be lost in their way. For Barangay Pag-asa, the road offers endless possibilities and opportunities, bringing them a lot closer to what they have just dreamed of. ###