Aeta stewards in Sapangbato to get subsidy from DOTr’s program
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) have recently partnered with the local environment group, Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council, Inc. (ARAW-ACI), for the greening of the Sapangbato and Sacobia watersheds.
Representatives of the two national entities led by DOTr Assistant Secretary Irish “IC” Calaguas and BCDA Vice President Richard Cepe have conducted an ocular inspection at the Sapangbato Watershed in Angeles City and at the Sacobia Watershed in Mabalacat City and Bamban, Tarlac on February 27, 2026.
They also visited two of the 15 planting sites managed by ARAW-ACI at the Sapangbato watershed. These planting sites are sponsored by various private sector companies and groups under the ARAW-ACI Adopt-A-Watershed Reforestation Program (AWRP). The AWRP has started in 2020 in cooperation and with the support of the local government of Angeles City under the leadership of former mayor and incumbent congressman Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin.
In a letter to ARAW-ACI President Abe Tayag dated February 24, Calaguas said they are currently undertaking the implementation of the North-South Commuter Railway ( NSCR) System, which comprises of three segments that will connect the National Capital Region to Region 3 and Region 4A.
The three components are the North-South Commuter Railway Extension Projects, the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (MCRP), and the Subic-Clark Railway Project (SCRP), which is a joint-project of the DOTr and BCDA.
“As part of our commitment to the environment, the SCRP is fully aligned with the conditions in the Special Tree Cutting and Earth-balling Permits (STCEP) issued by DENR-NCR.
“This requirement mandates the implementation of a Greening Program (GP) to offset the environmental impact of tree cutting activities by the Project. The greening program offers a sustainable solution to mitigate the ecological impact of the project and fosters environmental resilience in the long term,” Calaguas said.
She added that they have identified the 10,000-hectare Sacobia Watershed and the 527-hectare Sapangbato Watershed as the sites for the SCRP greening program. As for the MCRP site in Mount Arayat, the DOTr has partnered with the upland farmers in Magalang and Arayat.
“We have been monitoring your organization’s accomplishments and strengths, in terms of advocacy and actual management of existing planting sites in Sapangbato, Angeles City, and we highly consider ARAW-ACI to be our partner for the GP for SCRP,” Calaguas said.
ARAW-ACI Vice President Sonny Dobles said the partnership with DOTr and BCDA is a welcome development for the rehabilitation of the Sapangbato watershed.
Dobles said the Aeta stewards and partners of ARAW-ACI in managing the plantations in Sapangbato have been struggling since July last year after the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) terminated their food subsidy from the local government.
“Simula July 2025 nawalan na ng honoraria ang mga kapatid nating katutubo na katulong namin sa programang pagtatanim sa Sapangbato. Malaki sanang tulong ito sa kanila sa kabila ng kanilang sakripisyo sa pag-aalaga at pagdidilig ng mga halamang itinatanim. Kaya ngayon, nagpapasalamat kami kay Asec. IC Calaguas, sa DOTr, at sa BCDA, sa kanilang malasakit para sa mga katutubo at para sa ating watershed. Sa ilalim ng aming partnership sa kanila, mabibigyan na natin ng direktang sahod o honoraria ang mga katutubo kasi sila rin ang makakatulong natin sa daang-daang libong halaman na itatanim natin para sa SCRP,” Dobles said.
