Senatorial candidate Bam Aquino has pledged to advocate for the rights of indigenous peoples (IP) in the country if he secures a seat in the 2025 Senate elections.
During a visit to an IP community in Barangay Puting Bato, Cabadbaran City, Aquino engaged with residents to discuss their longstanding concerns, particularly regarding ancestral domain rights.
“We can have a hearing on Barangay Puting Bato’s ancestral domain and invite different agencies. From there, we can make it clear that the indigenous people rightfully own the land,” Aquino stated.
Commitments to the IP Community
Aside from land rights, Aquino promised to push for funding to improve access to clean water, livelihood programs, and education for indigenous communities.
Aquino, who last served as a senator in 2019 and was Deputy Minority Leader from 2017, aims to return to the Senate with a focus on social welfare policies.