Boracay indigenous folk find their own spot in “paradise”

BORACAY, Aklan — When 40 Aeta families, composed of more or less 200 tribe members in Boracay finally received their land title recently, giving them the right to possess a 2.1 hectare of land in the island, all that Manang Delta, their tribe chieftain could say was a profusion of “thank yous” to the people who, through the years, helped them to secure their own space on this island paradise.

The title was processed by the Land Registration Authority (LRA) in November 2010 yet, but the awarding, which was attended by party list congressmen concerned for the indigenous groups of the country, representatives from the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez, Fr. Sau and the entire Aeta Community in the island was only held last week in Boracay.

The 2.1 hectare of land awarded to the tribe of Aetas in Boracay is located between the boundary of Sitio Bulabog, Balabag and Manoc-manoc. It is not in the beach front, and the community is happy about this, as they could plant vegetables and other crops to sustain their needs.

The place is near a road network and is near a potable source of water, according to former Boracay parish priest, Fr. Isauro David who has long helped the Aetas in their efforts to have their own place on the island. .
“At last, we don’t need to roam around the island. We now have land of our own, and the government is our ally,” Manang Delta said, as related in a radio interview with Fr. David.

February 3, 2011/ http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/302130/boracay-indigenous-folk-find-their-own-spot-paradise