An Aeta was sworn into office as the first indigenous peoples mandatory representative in the municipal council of Abucay in Bataan province.
Jay -R Caragay Reyes, 37, took his oath as member of the Sangguniang Bayan of Abucay before Abucay Mayor Robin Tagle.
The ceremony was witnessed by some members of the Ayta Magbukon Tribe from Barangay Bangkal, according to a Punto Central Luzon report.
“Salamat kay Mayor Tagle at sa bayan ng Abucay sa pagtanggap sa akin bilang kinatawan ng IPs,” Reyes was quoted as saying in the report.
“Si Mayor Tagle ang kauna-unahang mayor na tumanggap sa isang IP na mapabilang sa SB ng Abucay. Sa pagkatagal-tagal, sa wakas natupad na,” he added.
He also thanked the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and his tribe.
The new Aeta town councilor said his Ayta Magbukon Tribe was composed of 152 families in Bangkal, an upland barangay of Abucay.
