Mayor Crisostomo C. Garbo relayed his intent to Margarito and said this was contained in a recent en banc session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) for her to remain “neutral” as she represents the whole Aeta sector of this city.
Margarito has been vocal in pursuing the interests of Sangguniang Tribung Aeta (STA), one of the many feuding groups claiming to have authority to negotiate for Aetas for CADT inside Clark Special Economic Zone.
The SP session was attended by Aeta leaders and supporters of Bamban Aeta Tribal Association (BATA), Mabalacat Aeta Tribal Association (MATA), and other Aeta groups.
Margarito is an ex-officio member of City Council of Mabalacat representing IPs as a whole tribe. She is also the daughter of Robert Serrano who is said to be connected with the Vibro sand processing plant, DFS Aggregates, located at the ancestral domain area of the Aetas.
The controversial enterprise has been considered an environmentally- critical project, according to the CDC.
On the other hand, Margarito’s father, Serrano, is currently the president of MATA and is said to be the vice president of STA.
The STA is being opposed by other Aeta groups such as BATA, the San Vicente Tribal Association, and another group in Sitio Baguingin Anupul, Bamban, Tarlac headed by a certain Rading Sibal.
The STA has been claiming that they have been duly recognized by the NCIP to be the legitimate Aeta group that should represent the Tribong Ayta.
It can be recalled that Margarito is calling for the cancellation of the JMA, the contract signed by CDC, NCIP and the Tribong Ayta represented by Oscar Rivera of BATA in December 2007.
Some 15,000 Aytas are registered under the communal ownership of the CADT 025-A of about 10,600 hectares adjacent to the Clark Freeport Zone in the boundaries of Mabalacat City in and Bamban town in Tarlac.
In a meeting held recently with Aeta leaders, Garbo together with Vice Mayor Christian Halili, and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Art Punsalan urged the NCIP and Aeta leaders to resolve the leadership issue among the IPs under the CADT 025.
