Some members of the Boracay Ati Tribe have received their student driver license from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to help open more livelihood opportunities for them.
The distribution of licenses is part of the outreach program of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Kalibo town which also includes a free 15-hour theoretical driving course for the 39 members of the Ati community in the world-famous island.
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade led the ceremonial distribution of the student driver licenses to beneficiaries on Thursday, June 4.
"Bukod sa pangingisda at agrikultura ay mabibigyan na ng bagong oportunidad ang ating mga kapatid na Ati ng kanilang pang-araw-araw na pagkukuhanan ng kita—ang pagmamaneho ng motorsiklo sa isla ng Boracay sa Malay, Aklan (Aside from fishing and agriculture, they will also be given a new opportunity for their daily source of income—driving a motorcycle in Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan)," Tugade said.
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For additional income, the DOTr is also planning to include the Atis in its Free Ride Program and work as assistants to bus drivers.
During the ceremony, the DOTr and its attached agencies in the Road Sector, with the local government of Aklan, also turned over to the tribe 20 e-trikes to help them generate more income amid the ongoing pandemic.
The Boracay Ati Tribe is among the two Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities residing on the island.