December 1, 2025 – Thirty-one (31) members of two Aeta communities in the town of Buenavista, Quezon underwent a community-based training on the preparation of herbal medicines last November 28, 2025 facilitated by the Bondoc Peninsula Technological Institute (BPTI).

The said training is one of the interventions of the DSWD under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to help the indigenous peoples group in the identification and preparation of safe and effective herbal medicines while preserving the group’s traditional health practices.

According to Jeannette Merjudio, the 4Ps Municipal Link in the said town, this training helped the Aeta beneficiaries in ensuring the efficient and safe use of herbal medicines in complementation with other available healthcare options and services.

The BPTI is an external partner of the DSWD Field Office IV-A in the implementation of the 4Ps in improving the capacities of 4Ps households to improve their living conditions through skills training and employment facilitation. [with reports from JMMerjudio]