Inaugural Concrete Pouring Ceremony Marks Major Step Toward Empowering Ayta Communities in Pampanga and Tarlac
NEW CLARK CITY, Philippines — The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Hann Foundation Inc. (HFI) marked a significant development with the conduct of the inaugural concrete pouring ceremony for the multipurpose pavilion of the Ayta Ethno Botanical Center (AEBC) in New Clark City, Tarlac. The groundbreaking event signals the start of a transformative initiative aimed at uplifting indigenous communities while advancing sustainable development in the region.
“Makikipagtulungan ang BCDA upang makapaglaan ng karagdagang pondo para sa proyekto. Sa pamamagitan nito, maipapakita at maipagmamalaki ang mga produktong nagbubuo ng matibay na pundasyon para sa komunidad at lalo pang magpapalago sa ekonomiya ng Pampanga at Tarlac (The BCDA will collaborate to allocate additional funding for the project. Through this initiative, products that build a strong foundation for the community will be showcased and promoted with pride, further driving the growth of the economies of Pampanga and Tarlac.),” said BCDA Officer-in-Charge for the Office of Senior Vice President for Conversion and Development Group Engr. Mark P. Torres.
The 10-hectare AEBC Pavilion will serve as a central landmark within the facility, designed to host meetings, consultations, training sessions, seminars, and a broad range of community-centered activities. The center aims to scale up the agricultural capabilities of local farmers and fisherfolk, with a particular focus on Aeta communities in Pampanga and Tarlac.
It will also serve as a model for food forests to be established in other green areas of New Clark City, boosting food security, creating livelihood opportunities, maintaining a healthy ecosystem, and improving climate resilience across the Clark area.
The AEBC project will be rolled out in three phases. Phase 1 will feature the multi-purpose pavilion, a ceremonial ground, a market, a coffee shop, a tamarind orchard, a coffee farm, and a pond. Phase 2 will include a mango orchard, picnic areas, and natural trails, while Phase 3 will add rice terraces, a bamboo grove, a dormitory, and a viewing deck.
Meanwhile, Hann Foundation Inc. Executive Director Ana Christi G. Galura expressed confidence in the project’s long-term impact, emphasizing that economic progress and cultural preservation can move forward together to create sustainable and culturally grounded development.
“I hope that this will be a way for us to have space for sharing of knowledge and skills so that this can reach future generations,” she said.
Empowering 300 Ayta Farmers Through Education and Training
The AEBC program aims to empower 300 Ayta farmers in Capas and Bamban, Tarlac through hands-on, farm-based training implemented in partnership with PSAU and the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office III. Beyond improving farming techniques, the initiative guides participants toward earning educational equivalency certifications in agriculture and agribusiness.
Advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals
The AEBC initiative supports BCDA’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). By strengthening the capacities of indigenous communities and promoting sustainable food systems, BCDA helps ensure that the development of New Clark City advances in a way that is inclusive, resilient, and centered on the needs and aspirations of its people.
