Baseline Research on the Ayta Community in Brgy. Sapang Uwak, Pampanga, Philippines in partnership with Leonio Land, Inc., Teach Peace Build Peace Movement & Peace Kamp.
Aytas (“Aetas”) is/are one of the popular indigenous people in the Philippines and considered one of the first migrants to the Philippines thousands of years ago. In 16thcentury, when the Philippines was conquered by the Spanish, the Aytas moved away from the conquerors and transferred into the mountains on account of preserving peace and their culture. They are also known as “forest spirits”, their behavior, skills and belief could be related to animism. They are a passive people and they don’t like violence. Aytas rely in natural resources as their major source for survival and economic activity such as, hunting wild animals, foraging, fishing, farming and crafting alternative medicine. Aytas are among the smallest people on earth. They are usually five feet tall, with their distinctive kinky hair, dark skin, round black eyes, and snub nose. The Aytas live in a close-knit community; their way of life is characterized by their care and concern for the entire community, and is reflected in their mutual support and solidarity.
Aytas lived in the foothills and slopes of the Zambales Mountain Range, isolated from other communities by their nomadic lifestyle, their own laws; culture; customs and traditions. After the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991, they were displaced from their homeland near the slopes of Mt. Pinatubo, and shuffled with the lowlanders which forced their situation to become worse for adjusting into another environment. Living alongside each other was a great challenge for both the lowlanders of Porac and the Aytas of Sapang Uwak. The cultural differences between the Aytas of Sapang Uwak and the lowlanders of Porac have often been misunderstood by people from outside the area, even equated to ethnic persecution. Cultural studies state that Aytas are “naturally shy and timid”; because of the way they’ve lived their life atop the mountains of Mt. Pinatubo. Secluded from other communities and surrounded by the flora and fauna of nature.
Today, the Gov’t; NGOs; and concerned individuals have extended a helping hand to the Aytas of Sapang Uwak - an outpour of help which is often than not carried out improperly. Instead, these “assistances” turn into a dole-out mentality or in their own terms “Utak relief”, a sense of entitlement that common to most of them; where they prefer to wait for donations as they’ve done for the past 25 years, where they would continue with the way their ancestor lived, not fully acknowledging the need for change as they are now within the urban areas.
Pointing the finger at lowlanders or being critical will only bring bad effect to the Aytas, denying them the idea that only they themselves can make change happen.
We should focus on proactive integration and encourage development to cut their predicament.
Insufficient knowledge due to a lack of formal education, Aytas are not accustomed to formal work nor do they have the necessary skills needed in the urban craft job and field.
Marriage is also one of the crucial features of Aeta culture. Young girls in the community as early as 10 years old are already expected to marry and are somewhat considered old maids at the age of 18 when girls don’t have a partner or husband. Before the marriage takes place, the family of the man give either a cow, carabao or alike to the woman’s family in exchange for marriage. This act is known to many as dowry system but for Aytas it is called ‘bandi’ or ‘pahunga’. This affects the development of the community since early marriage is becoming rampant with the belief that marrying someone could make them escape the reality they are facing.
There were countless individuals and entities; NGOs and; Gov’t livelihood programs that did not succeed in Sapang Uwak, simply because an in-depth study of their culture was not laid out before the conduct of these programs. Case in point is the “Pautang" Livelihood Program which has been discontinued due to the Aytas cultural propensity to spend money impulsively. This is commonly called the “One day millionaire syndrome”. The root of this habit is their tradition which dictates that they should always hold feasts for their entire tribe or clan to celebrate the earning of their wages.
They hold on to their century’s old mentality of daily survival – a hedonistic concept of living only for the day and not thinking about tomorrow.
One of the things that differentiate the Indigenous Tribe of Aytas among the lowlanders is their justice system. They still believe in the essence of “an eye for an eye” when it comes to achieving and giving justice. Because of this, they are convinced that less or no crime is viable within their community. With respect to this, the practice of justice system within their community is separate from the central government. Whenever a crime is committed, elders usually punish them along with the consent from the victim’s side. Their practice of punishment is also considered as a sacred circumstance.
The beliefs, culture and, traditions of Aytas in Sapang Uwak have been relevant in the past but, in our present millennial generation these old ways are seen as hindrance to change and contributory to their prolonged struggle.
Leonio Land, Inc., in partnership with Teach Peace Build Peace Movement, & Peace Kamp, have embarked on this journey to find a common ground for both the Aytas and lowlanders to turn this cultural differences into a harmony of cultural diversity that would bring a collective strength that can benefit all.
Community Needs Assessment
This report documents the results of the Community Needs Assessment, for a deeper understanding of the Aytas in Sapang Uwak - its own needs and assets, as well as its own culture and social structure, mainly to:
I Develop an informed understanding of the gaps or needs that exists within a community and their impacts upon the community’s members.
II Identify priorities for community programs or system improvement and, encourage community members to consider the community's assets and how to use them.
The Sample
The survey sample was derived from the sixty (60) households comprised of 82 individuals. A social survey and focus group session was used in gathering the data. The social survey was conducted by representatives from the Brgy. Sapang Uwak Council; BHWs; and LLHI staff while focus group sessions were organized by Teach Peace Build Peace Movement (TPBPM).
The sample size is segmented into five (5) target profile groups. For the purpose of survey collection, each profile group was assigned a numerical goal that reflects the current demographic composition in the Sapang Uwak community.
I Youth heads of household with children;
II Adult heads of household with children;
III Senior adults, age sixty-five (65) and over;
IV Community business owners; and
V Youth, ages thirteen (13) to seventeen (17)
The Survey
The CNA survey was designed to collect four (4) specific sets of data or information from respondents:
I. Identify and rank unique needs of the community;
II. Provide insight and perceptions about particular needs and services that exists in their community;
III. Share their individual and family household needs and experiences within the community; and
IV. Gather information related to the survey sample’s demographic profile.
Highest Community Needs
(Youth Respondents Only)
The volunteers that visit the community from time to time have somehow influenced the youths’ mindset. Adults do not see trainings as important as the youth does. Youth in the community now understand that skills training will be helpful for them in the future. There are youths that want to undergo training such as dressmaking, welding and even family rearing trainings.
Going to school has been a struggle to the high school respondents. There are out of school youth in the community because they cannot afford to travel from Sapang Uwak to Villa Maria to study. While those who are still pursuing their high school often skip classes for a week when they are too lazy to travel. This has a big effect in the way they catch up with the lessons in school. Next to marrying early, this is the reason why there are only few who graduate from high school.
Unlike in the city, there are no recreational activities in Sapang Uwak. Many youth are exposed to gambling and other vices at a very early age. This is why their youth find it necessary to have sports as their recreation. They find it fun and helpful to learn a new sport that their parents did not experienced before.
Most Urgent Needs
In an open-ended question format, all respondents were asked to report in their own words the five (5) most urgent needs to address in their community are listed below:
First, the respondents find the water supply problem as the most urgent need to be met. Many problems arise from this need, one of which is the problem on their proper hygiene and sanitation. Fetching water from the spring takes a lot of time and energy; this is why as much as possible they abhor doing so thus minimizing their use of water. Instead of using it for bathing and brushing their teeth, they choose to use it for cooking and drinking. They have to wear the same clothes for several days because mothers can’t wash their clothes as often as lowlanders do.
As Aytas slowly become civilized, education has become more and more valued. High school building within the vicinity and scholarships for students is something they believe can help their community have higher rates of high school graduates. High school dropouts are usually due to lack of financial resources. The High School building within the community will lessen their expenses in going to Villa Maria to study while scholarships will help them allocate their resources to other necessities like investing in preparing nutritious food for kids.
Even though there are still a lot of Aytas who believe in cultural way of treating diseases, also some believe in using doctor-prescribed and over the counter drugs to treat their illness. However, there is not enough supply of medicines available in the health center. Unlike other barangays, Sapang Uwak is quite far from town proper. Aytas cannot easily go to a pharmacy when medication is needed.
A “bigasang bayan" is something that the community aspires to have. Rice in Sapang Uwak is a lot more expensive than in town proper. Having this will somehow help them spend less for rice and spend more in preparing healthy food and other necessities. The bigasang bayan can also serve as a livelihood for the residents.
1. Water Supply
2. High School Building
3. Scholarship Grants
4. Medicines
5. “Bigasang Bayan” or Livelihood
Greatest Challenges that Exists for “Self Sufficiency” (Adult Respondents Only)
After the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, the indigenous peoples of Sapang Uwak received an outpour of donation from the government, NGOs and volunteer groups. These however, made them reliant on aids and support they receive, creating a sense of dependency and entitlement on any help. In addition, their lack of formal education hinders them from looking for better ways to support their families. They still resort to gathering and hunting which is not a stable source of food for them.
Top 3 Primary Cause of Unemployment in the Community (Adult Respondents Only)
Since hunting and gathering are the skills that adults have mastered, lack of formal education, employment skills and attitude are the primary reasons of employment in the community. There is a few number who graduates from High School and a lot fewer from College. Aytas have disclination towards employment because they have become dependent on the donations to survive in their daily life. Living atop of the mountain and far from the civilization for most of their years developed an attitude that are not acceptable to the lowlanders, hence made it difficult for them to interact. They have developed a sense of complacency and fear of being discriminated by the lowlanders. This fear then molded their thinking that every lowlander might take advantage of them so they choose not to work for and with the lowlanders.
Issues of Children and Youth
Our Youth is the hope of the nation. It is sensible enough that we invest on their development – physically, spiritually and emotionally, for every ideas and thoughts that we give them, will resonate within their actions. As early as possible, we nurture them the sense of belongingness and affection as we generate a peaceful society full of positivity.
Most Serious Issues Facing Youth Ages Thirteen (13) to Seventeen (17)
(Adult Respondents Only)
Aeta parents nowadays have a higher level of value for their children’s education and see its importance for the future. The loss of interest to pursuing education is something that concerns the parents because in some cases, they resort to gambling in spending their free time. The loss of interest to study also leads them to marry at an early age, thinking that it can alleviate their family’s financial problems.
Most Serious Issues Facing Youth Ages Thirteen (13) to Seventeen (17)
(Youth Respondents Only)
Finishing their studies is mostly the youths’ answer when asked what serious issues they are facing now. Though staying in a dormitory owned by a priest is free, they still need to bring rice weekly for them to be able to eat for a week. There were times when students will skip class for a day or two or for even a week because they do not have rice to bring in. In order to survive in Villa Maria for a week, students also have to bring at least 100 pesos for their food during break time in school and are forced to skip classes if their parents cannot provide for this. Youth in the community really hopes to have a school for higher education built within the vicinity.
RECOMMENDED PROJECTS
The community issues that were identified by the respondents consist of basic needs that they wish to obtain for this will help them build a sustainable future.
Values Formation Activities & Leadership Training: Values allow the members of an organization to interact harmoniously. Values affect their formation and development as individuals which make it easier to reach goals that would be impossible to achieve individually. For the well-being of a community, it is necessary to have shared rules that guide the behaviour of its members; otherwise the community will not function satisfactorily for the majority.
Health: The Barangay Health Center should be renovated sin order to maximise its effective and efficient usage especially at times of giving birth. There is also a great need for electricity, medical facilities, supplies of medicines and other medical materials. This Health Center should not be taken for granted since it is the only medical center in the area. Aside from the barangay health center, schools in the vicinity should also have medicine supply and first aid kits in case of emergency. Children should also be taught on proper sanitation and hygiene. A monthly checkup should also be done for them to cope up with the diseases that they are facing through.
Sanitation: Improve sanitation facilities for the safe disposal of human waste (feces and urine), as well as having the ability to maintain hygienic conditions. Lack of proper sanitation facilities and waste from infected individuals can contaminate the community's land and water sources, increasing the risk of infection and spread of diseases. Proper waste disposal (toilet) in each house can slow the infection cycle of many disease-causing agents.
Water Supply: Water is essential for human life. This is use for daily intake and socioeconomic purposes. An instance of having an abundant water supply is also taken into consideration however, it should be distributed equally among all households. Interconnected water pipelines should be connected from the main water source. Water supply is an immediate need but also should be laid out in a phase of a long-term program.
Waste Segregation: In connection with the cleanliness stated before, the youth and adults alike should be educated to dispose their waste in the proper place and not to litter it everywhere. The organization thought of having an eco-friendly garbage bin made out of recyclable materials. The organization also intends to conduct training or a seminar for them to learn about waste management and segregation.
Livelihood Programs: In order for the residents of the Aeta Community to utilize their talents and resources well, they wish to have more livelihood programs and projects in their areas. This will help them in having extra income as well as help them in propagating their cultural dimension.
Early Marriage: As young as 10 years old, there are girls who already chose to get married. They prefer to settle down early with the false hope that it will alleviate them from poverty. In the long run, this becomes a cycle within their community. There is a need to break the cycle of early marriage and strengthen the educational and livelihood system of the community that will lead to a more sustainable approach.
Education: An improvement in the educational aspect of Sapang Uwak is a must. It requires cleanliness among the students and the neighborhood. One of the observations that the team has is the presence of pigpens just beside the school premises. It causes discomfort among the students due to its unpleasant smell. School facilities should also be improved, for instance chairs should be provided. There is one computer classroom that was donated by the government but is not used by the students. The students are not able to use it simply because there is no electrical receptacle. The presence of two electrical fans are also not enough to address the hot atmosphere in their respective classrooms.
There is a toy library however, it lacks educational toys and books and other facilitates which will make it more interesting to the eyes of the children. Time constraint is also one of the issues for teachers. The teachers in the Sapang Uwak Elementary Schools do not live nearby the area. In effect of this, the class schedule is interrupted and is not followed thoroughly, which also affects the learning process of the children. One of the respondents voiced out that it would be beneficial if there were stay-in teachers, who will be compensated well. It is also a problem for them not to have a secondary institution in their community. Some decide not to pursue because of the financial problem and some choose to marry at an early age. They also uttered that hopefully there will be more college scholarship grants that will be given for them.
The school needs include both school supplies for the children and teachers, and the improvements in school facilities especially now that school days are just around the corner. Facilities that need to be improved include restoration, additional chairs, books, educational materials, and electric fans. Cleanliness should also be maintained in the area for them not to be infected by diseases. Water supply should be prioritized in the school so that children will not be enticed to discharge their waste everywhere.
CONCLUSION
From the above data and analyses, community members clearly want to see increasing self-sufficiency thru education to thoroughly prepare their youth to be successful in the larger world, yet also grounds them in culture and traditional values. A new school and the elders’ involvement in the curriculum are seen as a massive step toward this goal. In terms of economic development, people are very proud of the successes both in negotiations and business/ cooperative partnerships through PEACE KAMP and other organizations, yet there’s still an immense amount of economic potential sitting untapped within the community. The key is to determine where these opportunities lie and who will take responsibility for pursuing them further within the community. With regard to community development / infrastructure, the focus group participants were pleased with the progress that they had seen in recent years, but nevertheless described this as “continuing development.”
The community wants to see more housing and amenities built for the community together with its continued maintenance and other services. Several members spoke about how could they find housing and jobs which the community could plan and aim. Any of the community members could spearhead some of these untapped economic development opportunities.
One slight difference between the decisions reached by the data analyst versus those of the final focus group, occurred with regard to elders, culture, religion, and spirituality. Whereas the analyst opted to emphasize the importance of elders as the primary source of traditional culture, spirituality and beliefs within the community, some of the focus group participants spoke convincingly about the need to revitalize traditional culture in the community. It was hard to ignore that only a few of the participants mentioned the subject at all. On the other hand, it was much more common for participants to talk about the importance of elders within the community. When probed by the facilitator, participants often said that elders were important because of the traditional wisdom and knowledge that they hold. Thus, in the focus groups the participants talked much more frequently about elders than either culture or religion. Facilitators also noted the relevance of the community’s justice system that have resulted to lower rates of crime.
Other differences include participants priority relating to the environment and the importance of the land, while the final focus group lumped agriculture with economic development and created a separate category for Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) opportunities. On the other hand, the security of tribe territory may be a more concrete and immediate expression of self-sufficiency and community pride. Lastly, the data analyst was surprised to find that the final focus group did not include a category on leadership, the tribe council, and/or role models. This particular topic was central to the analyst’s findings and even manifested itself in the over-arching self-sufficiency / taking initiative category. Leaders, past, present, and future, play a central role in the creation and maintenance of all other community and should be the one of the priority.
Participants repeatedly spoke about how PEACE KAMP and other NGOs have brought about significant positive changes in the community in areas such as education, infrastructure, inclusiveness, communications, economic development, the health system, inter-community partnerships, and youth development. The NGOs administration is largely responsible for the community’s current successes. Increased support for the leadership—through increased funding, community involvement in community initiatives, or autonomy over their right to direct and determine the future of the community—would seem a positive direction.
The community strengths were found to be: (1) living a traditional lifestyle, (2) believing in spirituality, (3) working towards a healthy lifestyle, (4) practicing self-government, (5) living by the clan system.
Base on the research the following must be the focus of programs for the community:
(1) Empowerment and good mental health. For community members to feel they had purpose and not feel helpless.
(2) Strong cultural identity and cultural pride. A strong sense of belongingness to Indigenous culture.
(3) Open to interacting with other cultures/ Cultural convergence. An openness to interact with people outside their own culture.
(4) Strong ties to family and friends. Able to get help from families and friends, many close personal friends and large networks.
(5) Living off the land and in harmony with the environment/ Oneness with earth. Often eat traditional foods, involved in protecting the environment.
(6) Strong spirituality. Free to express their spiritual beliefs in their community and an important part of their life.