CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) – The provincial government of Oriental Mindoro recently conducted initial consultation with the Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative (IPMR) particularly the elders of various Mangyan tribes in connection with the proposed construction of ‘Balay Paghandumon’ housing project at the site of the Oriental Mindoro Heritage and Cultural Center (OMHCC) in the town of Mansalay.

The consultation primarily aims to discuss the aspirations associated with the construction of said project and expect endorsement and approval of each tribe in order to implement the project in the near future.

Being the primary institution for arts and culture, the project will become part of the OMHCC’s long-term plan of having a community of not less than 30 families to reside therein.

According to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), the identified residents will be given free housing and financial assistance to start their livelihood like farming and weaving and their products would be sold to the guests who are visiting the center.

Likewise, the provincial government plans to build a Daycare Center and Health Center wherein the design of which is suited to the needs of the community.

With this initial plan of the local government, representatives of the eight Mangyan tribes in Mindoro island will meet their respective tribes to discuss the matters arising from the consultation so that their plans will be heard in the next consultation meeting to be called by the provincial government.

The eight different Mangyan groups in the island of Mindoro consist of Iraya, Alangan, Tadyawan, Tau-buid, Bangon, Buhid, Hanunuo and Ratagnon.  They are distinctively different especially in their languages.  Mangyan is just a collective term used for the indigenous peoples found only in Mindoro.

Meanwhile, aside from the provincial government headed by Gov. Humerlito A. Dolor together with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan IPMR Board Member Ahop Agate, Provincial Tourism Office and PSWDO, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) have both full support to local government’s endeavor of promoting the interests of the natives as well as their culture and art heritage.  (LTC/PIA-OrMin)