Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda and Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Friday launched an integrated agro-forestry program in Barangay Nabuclod to help alleviate poverty among Aeta communities through sustainable farming, bamboo development, and ancestral domain protection.

The program aims to provide long-term livelihood for indigenous peoples while supporting environmental goals. Since 2011, over 108,000 bamboo clumps have flourished in a 536-hectare forest in Nabuclod—an initiative started during Pineda’s first term. Bamboo harvesting, she emphasized, will now be redirected toward producing furniture such as chairs and desks for the province’s 12,000 day care students.

“We will train Aetas in producing bamboo by-products and supply raw bamboo to furniture makers in Pampanga, Laguna, and Cebu,” Governor Pineda said. A training center and production facility will soon rise in Nabuclod to support this.

Governor Pineda also ordered Floridablanca Mayor Michael Galang to secure the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) of the 5,457-hectare Aeta land, amid reports of encroachment and illegal sales. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan will investigate the CADT’s current status.

The launch also included a visit to Aeta farm plots inside Floridablanca National Agricultural School and the distribution of farm tools, vegetable seedlings, fertilizers, and food packs to 1,393 families.

“We must pair immediate aid with long-term livelihood support to truly reduce poverty,” said Pineda.

Secretary Gatchalian expressed full support and assured that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will monitor the program’s progress to ensure its success.