Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian leads the distribution of family food packs (FFPs) to some 633 members of the Aeta community in Barangay Maruglu in Capas town, Tarlac province during the launching of the Social Protection for Indigenous Peoples  on Thursday (February 29).

The provision of food packs is in response to the effects of El Niño on the livelihood of the Aetas who are engaged in agricultural activities .

Joining the DSWD Secretary in the launch were local officials led by Tarlac Governor Susan Yap, Tarlac 3rd District Rep. Noel “Bong” Rivera, Capas Mayor Roseller “Boots” Rodriguez, and Vice Mayor Alex Espinosa.

Philippine Army 72nd Brigade Commander BGen. Gulliver Siñeres also showed his support to the event.

The DSWD officials who attended the activity were Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs Fatima Aliah Dimaporo, Asst. Secretary and Chief Information Officer Julius Gorospe, Information and Communications Technology Management Service ( ICTMS) Director Christian Joseph Regunay, and Field Office-3 (Central Luzon) Regional Director Venus Rebuldela. #