“Kung sa pangarap, ay napakarami naming pangarap. Ang problema hanggang pangarap na lamang,” says Mr. Zosimo Magtibay, Chieftain of Aeta Community in Brgy. Banoyo, San Luis, Batangas, when asked about his dreams for their community during DOST Batangas’ conduct of needs assessment coordinated with the Municipality of San Luis, January 13.
Together with the members of their council, Chieftain Magtibay shared how their lives have been going from the time they arrived in San Luis until they have inhabited to their present place, they can call their own. To them, the journey wasn’t easy and livelihood has never been better. The strong need they consider is still about the permanent source of livelihood for men and women to sustain their living. At present, their community has 68 families, 30 houses, 1 common comfort room facility, and accounts more than 275 total population.
The wife of Chieftain Magtibay also shared that women in their community have already experienced producing soap and doormats before. However, due to unavailability of raw materials’ supplier near them, they failed to sustain their production. Other women are involved in vending herbal medicines they import from Quezon yet due to pandemic, their business has also been stopped. Men, on the other hand, work for poultry and in construction sites, but still desire to establish a livelihood in their community as mentioned by Mrs. Magtibay.
During the assessment, the community was asked about the livelihood they want. Staff from DOST thru the assistance of Ms. Anna De Villa, Alternative Learning System (ALS) Teacher in the community, shared some community-based enterprises including their products that could spark the Aetas’ business interests and ideas. In a move to bring them science and technology, DOST staff also mention how the agency can be of help to empower their community.
Women had the chance to talk about the livelihood they want to pursue. They have considered sewing as one potential livelihood aside from continuing the soap production. As they share their business idea, they stressed their strong desire to at least have a source of income for their families. Meanwhile, men prefer chicken broiler production in consideration of their experience on it. The community has assured cooperation and acceptance of these livelihood once provided to them. However, they also wished for capacity building and training and the provision of materials whichever potential livelihood might be given to them.
Chieftain Magtibay expressed his high hopes for the realization of the potential livelihood they have identified. Hence, he also agreed to communicate to DOST thru LGU or ALS coordinator other possible livelihood they might still consider fit to them.
The community is one of the priorities of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) where DOST is a member.
