IPs in Leyte benefit from PAO caravan

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HUNDREDS of members of the Indigenous peoples (IPs), particularly the Badjao community in Leyte province, benefitted from a caravan initiated by the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) led by its chief, Persida Rueda-Acosta.

Rueda-Acosta was joined by a team of doctors from Manila and public attorneys from PAO-Eastern Visayas as she and Deputy Chief Public Attorney Erwin Erfe led the caravan in Barangay Dolho, where the IPs received legal, medical as well as livelihood assistance.

REACHING OUT Chief Public Attorney Persida Rueda-Acosta (center, standing) is joined by children from the Badjao community during the outreach visit of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) in Leyte on June 3, 2025. Many of these children lack birth certificates — a common concern addressed through PAO’s free legal services during its nationwide caravan. PAO PHOTO

Lauding the PAO's regional office headed by Vevelyn Monsanto whose personnel came in full force during the event held on June 3, Rueda-Acosta said the outreach program forms part of the agency's nationwide initiative to extend vital government services to marginalized IPs and cultural minorities.

"We go to the farthest corners of the country to bring essential government services closer to the people who need them most," Acosta told The Manila Times.

Erfe said some 110 Badjao beneficiaries that included children, pregnant women and senior citizens were provided with medical and livelihood support while several members of the community availed of legal assistance, particularly for the preparation of affidavits to support late registration of births.

Tribal coordinator Vanessa Sabrani said many Badjao women still give birth traditionally, making birth registration difficult due to poverty and isolation.

"We are truly grateful that PAO came to us. Some children cannot enroll in school because they have no birth certificates. This visit helps us start that process," Sabrani said.

The caravan was made possible through PAO's collaboration with several government agencies.

The chief public attorney also personally led the distribution of almost P100,000 worth of fishing gears from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to 42 selected Badjao fishermen.

Their community relies heavily on fishing, pearl diving and marine activities for livelihood, PAO said.

Moreover, the Department of Agriculture provided high-value crop seedlings and farm tools while the Department of Environment and Natural Resources distributed native tree seedlings such as "narra," "kalumpit" and "toog" to promote sustainable upland development.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) allotted P1.6 million for the distribution of food assistance, with each beneficiary receiving P10,000 in aid through DSWD's Cash-for-Food program.

The agency extended the same assistance to 50 more Badjao individuals who were unable to attend the event.

Rice and food packs were also given to the participants through PAO, Erfe said.

"We in the government are working together to provide what is rightfully due to our fellow Filipinos — especially to our Indigenous brothers and sisters," Rueda-Acosta said.

"We want them to feel that they are part of the 'Bagong Pilipinas' under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.," she added.