According to Tabla, among the challenges faced by IPs in the province of Sorsogon include discrimination, lack of access to basic services, and lack of scholarships for IP students.

She noted that up until now, discrimination of IPs still exist in some municipalities in Sorsogon. This, she said remains as a major challenge faced by IP Mandatory Representatives.

“Cultural Communities still lack access to basic services, and scholarships for them are very limited,” she added.

“I hope that President Marcos, Jr. will further strengthen our programs for protecting, promoting, and giving respect to the rights of Indigenous Peoples,” she added. 

Among these municipalities are Pilar, Donsol, Irosin, Bulusan, Prieto Diaz, and Matnog. The Municipality of Donsol has the most numbers of IPs, followed by the LGU Prieto Diaz.

In Sorsogon, NCIP has identified Agta as the predominant  Indigenous Peoples in thier area. They were  classified into two types: the Agta Tabangnon and the Agta Simaron. Agta Tabangnon, according to Tabla, are those born of Agta parents while  Agta Simaron are the product of the union of an Agta and foreigner parents.

Tabla further said that there are only four identified and recognized ancestral domains. They can be found in Pilar, Matnog, Bulusan and Donsol. “Although there were no ancestral domains in Irosin, and Prieto Diaz, Indigenous Peoples settled there are still recognized as cultural communities,” Tabla added.

Currently, NCIP Sorsogon continues to promote projects and programs to provide the IPs in the province with better  access to basic services.  This includes assistance and facilitation of granting of Titles for Ancestral Domains, Issuance of Certificate of Recognition, and scholarship assistance. (with reports from Jefferson Pura, PIA 5/Sorsogon)