The Economic Life of the Aetas of Northern Philippines

Abstract

In today’s world, one of the bases of economic development is the presence of technology. However, not all communities and groups can have an access to the different technologies created by man. And one of these groups is the Aetas of Northern Philippines. This study was conducted to determine the different economic activities, and seasonal activities for survival of the Aetas. The participants of the study were the 25 Aeta families of a rural community in Northern Philippines. In-depth interview, observation, and community immersion were the instruments used by the researcher. Moreover, key informants and the elders were identified to validate the data gathered by the researcher. Results showed that the economic activities of the Aeta community are foraging, livestock and poultry production, making and selling hard brooms, farming and agriculture, and some families are recipients of the Pantawid Pampamilya Program of the Government. Moreover, seasonal activities for survival included fishing, paid labor, tour guiding inside the Callao cave, being recipients of the different outreach and extension activities conducted by Non-Government organizations and schools and universities located in Tuguegarao City and in Peñablanca, Cagayan, Philippines; and some of them were compensated during cultural festivals and other festive events by presenting theTalip, the Aetas community and indigenous dance.