Local-Based Organizing Program with the Indigenous Group in the Philippines: A Mangyan Case

Abstract

This case study highlights the local organizing efforts among the Mangyan tribes in the Philippines. These indigenous groups, numbering approximately 4 million nationwide, face exploitation and challenges to their self-identity, ancestral lands, indigenous laws, and culture. The initiative, spearheaded by an NGO starting in 1980, employed participatory methods such as rural conscientization, community integration, and leadership development to empower Mangyan communities. The program evolved through phases of assessment, skills training, and participatory evaluation to establish formal community organizations addressing social, educational, economic, and health issues. The study emphasizes the challenges, strategies, and outcomes of participatory organizing efforts in fostering self-reliance and solidarity among indigenous groups.