CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) – The Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) is currently holding a 3-day Mangyan Summit for the second batch of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) which started on October 12 and will end on October 14 in this city.

The summit has been participated by leaders of Mangyan IPs from the second district of the province and Indigenous People Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs) from various tribal communities of the same district.

Provincial Social Welfare & Development (PSWD) Officer Zarah C. Magboo said that the summit is a convergence among government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs) to support the IPs by directly listening to various issues and concerns through group workshops and consultations.

Magboo added that with this approach, the government can come up with a realistic and concrete response to the grievances of IPs. The ongoing summit is associated with the zero-illiteracy program being promoted by the provincial government. In his recent pronouncement, Gov. Humerlito A. Dolor said that the zero-illiteracy program is a major key to accomplishing his dream of gradually lifting the IPs' out of poverty.

Magboo said that the conduct of the summit would generate an up-to-date comprehensive plan that will be implemented with the support and cooperation of all stakeholders including the IPs themselves.  (LTC/PIA MIMAROPA)

Photo above:  Provincial Information Office-Oriental Mindoro