Aetas waiting for PGMA to sign their certificate of land ownership in Boracay
BORACAY ISLAND — Aetas living in the resort island of Boracay are hoping to own the piece of land they presently occupy in Sitio Bulabod, Barangay Balabag, Boracay.
Sis. Victoria Ustan of the Missionary of Charity (MC), the group that is helping the Aetas, said that as far as she knows there are no more legal controversies hounding the claim of the said minority group and they are just waiting for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to sign their certificate of land ownership.
The MC has appealed to President Arroyo to give them their piece of land before her term ends in June.
The claims have been pending with the National Commission on Indigenous People since the late 1990s. The Aetas have already submitted documents such as those from anthropologists backing their claims that they are the original inhabitants of this resort island.
At least 35 families or around 250 Aetas now live in their community in Sitio Bulabod.
They have been threatened of eviction by some influential families in the island who want to use the land they are currently occupying for tourism purposes. (PNA)
