The Taubuid Mangyan, a conservative ethnic group living in the upper areas of Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro lived mostly in isolation until roughly five years ago. Settled in their new location in town, they then asked the local government for a school. Poor sanitation practices have been linked to the high mortality rate in underdeveloped areas, especially in the remote areas in the regions. “I still have to request for hygiene kits from the local government,” said Irene de Guzman, one of the first teachers in the area. The SIDC-affiliated businesses in Occidental Mindoro are located in the municipalities Calintaan, Santa Cruz, and San Jose.

Source: Manila Times May 27, 2017 15:22 UTC