Indigenous families living in the highlands of Subic and Olongapo now have access to inexpensive medicine, thanks to three “Botikas sa Sitio” set up recently by the Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc., through its corporate social responsibility arm. The program provides access to affordable medicines and daily hygiene items through a “botika” (pharmacy). The drugstores will also operate as cooperative stores to serve as livelihood for the community (Inset photo). The beneficiary organizations are Cabalan Ayta Development Association Inc., the umbrella organization of the tribes of Mampueng, Tralala, Iram and New Cabalan; Parola Fisherfolk Neighborhood Association, for fishermen neighboring RP Energy’s project site; and the Cawag Tribal Association, another group of Aetas in Subic, Zambales. “Our dream is for our Aeta brothers and sisters to achieve economic empowerment so that time will come they will no longer need to solicit from politicians,” said Litz Santana, VP for external affairs of Meralco Power Gen Corporation (Shown in photo visiting one of the ‘botika sites”). “We see them as key partners in development.”
