CLARK FREEPORT — “We were not just used but abused as well.”
Thus said members of the Bamban Aeta Tribal Association (BATA) in broken Tagalog and Kapampangan when interviewed by Punto at their residence at the hilly portion of the Sacobia area here.
“We were used to convince President Arroyo to donate one building for our livelihood. Worse, many other buildings were demolished benefitting rich officials and contractors not really us,” said the BATA members, who requested for anonymity.
They disclosed that they were allegedly duped when given “merely sacks of rice” after the demolition of a building at the aviation facility. They added that the amount given to them from the proceeds of the scrap taken from the building was a pittance compared to the benefits of a private contractor and some officials of the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC).
“We should be the ones who will benefit more and not anyone else,” they said.
The BATA members urged CIAC President and CEO Victor Jose Luciano to “come out in the open and reveal it all.”
“Is the CIAC president involved in the questionable demolitions? If not, then Luciano should investigate and punish those responsible for the illegal act,” they said.
The Aetas said “we become poorer due to greedy people and those who take advantage of our weaknesses.”
It could be recalled that BATA Chairman Oscar Rivera wrote a letter to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo early last year and asked her to donate Building No. 7208 at CIAC. It was requested for demolition and its scrap materials would be given to BATA for their livelihood.
Arroyo through then Presidential Management Staff head Hermogenes Esperon approved the demolition last June 23, 2009. A certain Josie Gomez of Barangay Atlu Bola, Mabalacat, Pampanga was authorized by Rivera to demolish the said donated building for them.
Thus said members of the Bamban Aeta Tribal Association (BATA) in broken Tagalog and Kapampangan when interviewed by Punto at their residence at the hilly portion of the Sacobia area here.
“We were used to convince President Arroyo to donate one building for our livelihood. Worse, many other buildings were demolished benefitting rich officials and contractors not really us,” said the BATA members, who requested for anonymity.
They disclosed that they were allegedly duped when given “merely sacks of rice” after the demolition of a building at the aviation facility. They added that the amount given to them from the proceeds of the scrap taken from the building was a pittance compared to the benefits of a private contractor and some officials of the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC).
“We should be the ones who will benefit more and not anyone else,” they said.
The BATA members urged CIAC President and CEO Victor Jose Luciano to “come out in the open and reveal it all.”
“Is the CIAC president involved in the questionable demolitions? If not, then Luciano should investigate and punish those responsible for the illegal act,” they said.
The Aetas said “we become poorer due to greedy people and those who take advantage of our weaknesses.”
It could be recalled that BATA Chairman Oscar Rivera wrote a letter to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo early last year and asked her to donate Building No. 7208 at CIAC. It was requested for demolition and its scrap materials would be given to BATA for their livelihood.
Arroyo through then Presidential Management Staff head Hermogenes Esperon approved the demolition last June 23, 2009. A certain Josie Gomez of Barangay Atlu Bola, Mabalacat, Pampanga was authorized by Rivera to demolish the said donated building for them.
