On the second day of the Lakbay-Aral, the delegation visited the Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum to gain deeper insight into the rich history and cultural heritage of Mindoroโs Indigenous Peoples. Through the museumโs collections, the team learned more about Mangyan traditional tools, clothing, writing systems, and the enduring practices that continue to shape community life today.
The delegation also met with the Mindoro Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Programme (MFBCP) focal persons from San Teodoro, Baco, and Puerto Galera, including the Puon-Balayans (leaders) of each community. The dialogue offered a meaningful opportunity to hear firsthand the realities faced by Indigenous communities in accessing healthcareโfrom common illnesses and limited services to growing concerns around mental health and well-being.
Community representatives shared their openness to modern healthcare while affirming the importance of preserving and respecting traditional healing practices that remain deeply rooted in their culture, knowledge systems, and lived experience.
To close the day, the delegation also visited one of the entry points of CCIโs project, offering a clearer view of the local context and the communities at the heart of this shared work.
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